Month: October 2025

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing has launched a City Safe campaign to address criminal and anti-social behaviour in the City and immediate surrounds.

On Monday (8 July 2024), members from across ACT’s five stations, Road Policing, and the Proactive Intervention & Diversion team commenced the high visibility operation – targeted towards addressing criminal acts in Canberra’s CBD.

Devised by ACT Policing in collaboration with the ACT Government, the campaign will focus on policing licenced premises, local businesses, and high foot traffic areas in the City and Braddon.

The operation has been established following concerns raised by local businesses regarding criminal and anti-social behaviour.

Every day, police respond to assaults, disturbances, drug incidents, property damage, robbery, sexual assault, theft and burglary in the City and Braddon areas.

ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee said that the launch of this campaign serves as a reminder to the community that criminal acts will not be tolerated.

“Everyone in the community has a right to feel safe, and to see these sorts of incidents occurring on a regular basis in one of the busiest precincts within the ACT is very disappointing,” Deputy Commissioner Lee said.

“Recently, I met with City business owners and operators who raised their concerns about the number of people engaging in criminal and anti-social behaviour.

“Criminal acts and anti-social behaviour significantly impacts the community, affecting their sense of safety within the community.

“This operation will see a high visibility police presence in the City and immediate surrounds, with the focus being on addressing these behaviours.

“Officers attached to the operation will be out and about, engaging with shopkeepers to identify and address incidents as they occur.

“We certainly want people to enjoy all that Canberra’s CBD has to offer, but in a responsible and considerate manner.

“Throughout the lead up to and duration of this operation we have, and will continue to, work closely with ACT Government and support services to ensure the City can be enjoyed safely by all.”

Minister for Police and Crime Prevention Mick Gentleman said the safety of the community was always the Government’s top priority.

“This campaign is a good opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities when they are out and about in our City precinct,” Minister Gentleman said.

“The operation will address local businesses’ concerns regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and will assist in ensuring the community feels safe when coming to Canberra’s CBD.

“In collaboration with police, the ACT Government are committed to providing continued support services to address non-policing aspects of this initiative. This includes supporting community members impacted by homelessness, mental health conditions, alcohol, substance abuse and providing referrals to relevant support services.

“We look forward to working with police across the next month to address community concerns, ensure the safety of Canberrans, and ultimately maximise the outcomes of this campaign.”

Source: ACT Police

Updated at 3.35pm, Friday 26 July 2024

ACT Policing is investigating a third incident where a man was allegedly assaulted by a group after he was lured to a location using a dating app.

About 4am on Saturday (20 July 2024), a man arrived at an address on Investigator Street in Red Hill where he was allegedly assaulted by a group of 5-8 people wearing face coverings.

This is the second alleged assault involving a group on the same night at the same location in Red Hill. Police believe all three alleged assaults are linked.

ACT Policing takes incidents such as these very seriously and urge anyone who may have information about these incidents, or other similar incidents, to contact police on 131 444.

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ACT Policing is investigating two assaults that are believed to be targeted attacks by a group of men after their victims were lured to locations using a dating app.

On Tuesday morning last week (16 July 2024), police received a report from a man who had attended a residence on Ada Norris Avenue, Denman Prospect to meet a person he’d connected with on a dating app earlier that morning. Outside the residence, he was approached by four people who allegedly assaulted him, however he was able to leave the scene on his motorbike soon after.

Police believe his helmet and gloves were stolen by the alleged offenders. The man did not require hospitalisation, and provided a statement to police.

A second incident occurred at about 2.30am on Saturday (20 July 2024) after a man had agreed to meet another man at a residence on Investigator Street, Red Hill using the same dating app.

Shortly after the man arrived at the residence, a group of 7-8 men appeared and allegedly began assaulting him. During the assault, the group allegedly shouted homophobic slurs at the victim, as well as demanding money and attempting to take his wallet and keys.

The man was able to escape, but was allegedly pursued on foot by the group, who continued the assault in front of another residence on Investigator Street, before the man was able to fight the group off on Discovery Street.

Following the incident, the group also allegedly damaged the man’s car.

About 1pm on Saturday, 20 July 2024, the man presented to hospital for treatment on injures sustained during the assault, and reported the matter to police.

Police are considering whether the same alleged offenders are involved in both incidents.

Police are also urging people who are meeting face-to-face for the first time via dating apps to meet in a public place, such as a caf, restaurant, or shopping centre.

We would encourage anyone who has information about these incidents in Denman Prospect and Red Hill, or any other similar incidents where people may have been targeted due to their sexual orientation, to come forward.

Police would especially like to speak to anyone who lives in the area of Ada Norris Avenue, Denman Prospect or Investigator and Discovery streets, Red Hill who may have witnessed the incidents, or who may have CCTV footage that captured the incidents.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers, quoting reference 7800123 (Denman Prospect) or 7803814 (Red Hill).

Source: ACT Police

Homemade firearms and drugs seized following investigation into Mawson home invasion

Source: ACT Police

A 19-year-old Weetangera man has been charged with multiple offences following an investigation into recent shop burglaries.

At about 3.35 am last Tuesday 16 July (2024) a group of people attended the Post Office at the Lanyon shops and entered by smashing the glass entry door. They then stole the cash till from this premises.

Soon after, police believe this same group attended a petrol station in Wanniassa where they attempted to gain entry, again by smashing the front door. At this venue they were unsuccessful however caused significant damage.

Following an investigation by the Proactive and Intervention and Diversion Team, a 19-year-old Weetangera man was arrested on Saturday night (20 July 2024) and charged with joint commission burglary, joint commission theft, attempt aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft and possession of stolen property.

Investigations regarding the identities of the other offenders are continuing.

Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 61-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly keeping his partner forcibly confined in their home and assaulting her.

About 10.30pm on Saturday (20 July 2024), the man and his partner got into a verbal argument after he consumed several alcoholic drinks.

He demanded she leave the residence but after she agreed, he barricaded the door and allegedly refused to let her leave.

Police also allege the man then assaulted his partner by shoving and choking her repeatedly.

The woman was able to contact emergency services using her smart watch and police arrived a short time later.

He was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated common assault, forcible confinement, and choking, suffocating or strangling another person.

If you are experiencing family violence or know someone who is, the following services are available:

ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 02 6280 0900

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 02 6247 2525

YWCA Canberra Domestic Violence Support Service 02 6185 2000

ACT Government family violence services

Source: ACT Police

A 35-year-old man has been extradited from Victoria to face the ACT Magistrates Court after allegedly stealing high-end bicycles and other accessories.

Police allege that between January and March 2023 on three separate occasions, the man entered secure unit complexes in Franklin and Kingston and stole three high-end bicycles worth thousands of dollars.

The man was later identified on Facebook Marketplace selling one of the stolen bicycles worth approximately $7,000 for $800.

In March 2023, police executed a search warrant at the man’s residence in Kingston and seized two stolen bicycles.

On 1 July 2024 the man failed to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court in relation to the thefts and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

After tracking him down to Victoria, the man was arrested in a northern Melbourne suburb by Victoria Police.

The man appeared before court in Melbourne yesterday (Friday, 19 July 2024) where extradition to the ACT was approved.

ACT Policing urges all Canberrans to ensure their bicycles are kept secured and registered with Bikelinc.

If your bicycle is stolen, please provide a photo or detailed description when it is reported to police.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking information from the public in relation to a home invasion in Mawson yesterday morning.

About 1.45am (Thursday, 18 July 2024), four people wearing dark clothing, gloves, and balaclavas forced their way into a residence on Du Faur Place, Mawson.

Upon gaining entry to the property, the group identified themselves as police executing a search warrant.

Once inside the home, the group produced a number of weapons including a rifle, baton, and a tyre iron, before threatening and assaulting a man, and demanding money and drugs.

The group left the location a short time later, stealing the man’s wallet and vehicle.

The vehicle, a Toyota Hilux ute, was subsequently located in Lyons about 2.30am. It was seized before being transported to the police Exhibit Management Centre for examination.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, and are calling on information from the public to assist the investigation.

Police believe the home was targeted in error, with neither the residence nor the man known to police.

Anyone with information that could assist is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7801831. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an assault in Civic in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

About 12.30am (Sunday 14 July 2024) a man was walking along Bible Lane in the direction of City Walk when he was assaulted by a group of men.

The victim, who sustained multiple injuries during the assault, was able to contact police and report the incident a short time later.

Following enquiries, police were able to identify two men involved in the assault – an 18-year-old man from Banks and a 19-year-old man from Monash.

The men were arrested last night (Thursday, 18 July 2024) following the execution of search warrants at their residences. They have each been charged with one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and will appear in court next month.

Police are seeking to identify the other men involved in the assault, and would like to speak to anyone who may be able to identify them, as well as anyone who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7798415. Information can be provided anonymously.

ACT Policing is targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour in the City and immediate surrounds as part of a City Safe Campaign which commenced earlier in the month.

Source: ACT Police

A 46-year-old Scullin man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 18 July 2024) charged in relation to a family violence assault involving a sword.

About 11.20pm last night (Wednesday, 17 July), police responded to reports of a disturbance at a residence in Scullin.

Upon arrival police could hear the sounds of a woman screaming and entered the residence.

Police observed the man holding a sword while standing in an internal doorway allegedly preventing a woman from leaving. At this time, police also observed the woman to be nursing a wound to her chin.

Police directed the man to drop the sword, which he did, before being arrested. ACT Ambulance Service paramedics attended the location and provided treatment to both the woman and the man.

He has been charged with four offences – aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possess offensive weapon with intent, forcible confinement, and contravene family violence order.

If you are experiencing family violence or know someone who is, the following services are available:

ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 02 6280 0900

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 02 6247 2525

YWCA Canberra Domestic Violence Support Service 02 6185 2000

ACT Government family violence services

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an alleged assault that occurred in the carpark of the Tuggeranong Uniting Church earlier this month.

About 2.50pm on Saturday, 6 July 2024, three people were sitting in a parked car in the church carpark, near the Erindale Shopping Centre, in Wanniassa.

A man unknown to them approached the vehicle and after speaking to one of the occupants, struck the passenger side window, shattering the glass.

The occupants exited the vehicle to confront the man and the offender is alleged to have assaulted them.

Two of the occupants of the vehicle were subsequently conveyed to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and property damage.

Police have already spoken to some witnesses but would urge anyone else who saw the incident and has not yet spoken to police to come forward.

Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7792360. Information can be provided anonymously.