ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an act of indecency that occurred in a sports bar on Northbourne Avenue last night.
Police are investigating two alleged acts of indecency by a man on a young woman at the sports bar.
The incidents are alleged to have occurred last night (Saturday, 12 July 2025) between 10pm – 10.30pm.
The man is described as Caucasian in appearance with a stubbly beard and in his early 30s. He was wearing either a puffy jacket or sweater, blue denim jeans and black and white Vans sneakers.
If you are this man, please present yourself to the nearest police station.
Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information about the identity of this man is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 8103054. Information can be provided anonymously.
Original publication:Saturday, 12 July 2025 10:24am
A 37-year-old man will face court today after he allegedly stole an item from a retail store in the City yesterday.
About 11:30am yesterday (Friday, 11 July 2025), police allege the man entered a City retail store and stole a clothing item valued at $300.
Following the theft incident, the man was located by a security guard in a family bathroom and was verbally banned from the shopping centre precinct.
A short time later the man returned to the shopping centre precinct, where he was subsequently arrested by police.
Officers searched the man and found a number of mail packages suspected to be stolen.
The man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (Saturday, 12 July 2025), charged with minor theft, unlawfully trespass on premises and unlawful possession of stolen property.
Original publication:Saturday, 12 July 2025 9:25am
A 29-year-old Red Hill man has been charged after he allegedly sexually and physically assaulted his ex-partner.
Last Sunday (6 July 2025), the man allegedly forcibly confined and choked his ex-partner while he sexually and physically assaulted her.
Police will allege the man also made threats to kill the woman.
The matter was referred to the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team (SACAT). Yesterday (Friday, 11 July 2025), officers executed a search warrant at the man’s residence where he was subsequently arrested.
The man has existing charges before the court for allegedly assaulting the woman and multiple other females. The man is also subject to a court issued good behaviour order from April this year.
The 29-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court this morning (12 July 2025) and is expected to be charged with:
4 counts of aggravated acts of indecency without consent
3 counts of sexual assault without consent
2 counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm
Common assault
Forcible confinement
Chokes/suffocates/strangles another person
Aggravated sexual assault in the third degree
Breaching a good behaviour order
Breach of bail
ACT Policing stands ready to assist victims experiencing family violence.
If you are in this situation – when it is safe to do so – please contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or contact a support service who can assist with crisis support, safety planning and advice.
If you require assistance, you can contact:
Triple Zero (000) in an emergency or life-threatening situation.
Police Assistance on 131 444 if it is a non-emergency, but you require police assistance.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Service provides a 24-hour crisis line, advice, safety planning and information every day of the year and can be reached on 02 6280 0900.
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre provides a 24-hour crisis line and can be contacted on 02 6247 2525
An O’Connor man has been charged with multiple offences following indecent exposure incidents in the City last night.
About 5.20pm yesterday (Thursday, 10 July 2025) a 39-year-old man entered the foyer of The Crowne Plaza hotel and allegedly dropped his pants and underwear before interacting with people in the venue. He was escorted out of the lobby by an unknown man.
Soon after, police allege he entered the carpark of the hotel and again began intimidating members of the public, before removing all of his clothes and continuing to aggressively engage with people and vehicles in the carpark.
He left the carpark (while still naked) before allegedly abusing a member of the public as he walked towards the Meriton Suites. At this time he was being escorted by a man known to him.
Police attended and spoke to multiple witnesses before seeking to locate the men.
About 6.35pm other officers were observing a protest at the National Convention Centre when a man attempted to enter the rear of a marked caged police vehicle and the Convention Centre building. He was taken into custody for his own protection – with police later confirming he was the man sought in relation to the earlier indecent exposure incidents.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of indecent exposure, two counts of offensive behaviour in public, two counts of common assault, affray, property damage and breaching a good behaviour order and is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrate’s Court today (Friday, 11 July 2025).
ACT Policing is seeking to identify anyone else who may have been approached or interacted with the man last night in the city.
Anyone who can assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number 8101071. Information can be provided anonymously.
Original publication:Thursday, 10 July 2025 11:05am
ACT Policing has recovered 15 bikes and e-bikes and five e-scooters following a search warrant at a serviced apartment last night.
Yesterday (Wednesday, 9 July 2025) a man used an AirTag to track his e-bike (that had been stolen earlier that day) to a serviced apartment business in the City.
Police attended and spoke with the occupant of the apartment before securing a search warrant.
The subsequent search saw officers from the Territory Targeting Team locate 15 bikes and e-bikes and five e-scooters in the apartment as well as tools and other bike parts. The estimated value of the goods recovered is approximately $50,000.
A 25-year-old man, who is on bail for other alleged offences, will be charged in relation to this matter when he next appears in court later this month.
ACT Policing continues to remind Canberrans to register their bikes and e-bikes on BikeLinc – a free service that allows owners to record their bike and contact details. Should a bike be lost or stolen, that incident can also be recorded on the BikeLinc system. Police use BikeLinc to identify owners when bikes are recovered and second-hand bike buyers can also check to make sure the bike they are buying hasn’t been reported stolen.
Original publication:Wednesday, 9 July 2025 9:13am
ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an alleged shooting in Banks overnight where one man was injured.
About 12:00am last night (Tuesday 8 July 2025) a man and woman were awoken by the sound of a loud bang at their home in Reader Court, in Banks.
A short time later, the man was confronted inside his home by two males described as being tall and both were wearing black balaclavas, hoodies and track pants, with both males allegedly carrying firearms.
The two males allegedly assaulted the resident before one of the males shot him in the leg.
The two males then fled the scene on foot before getting into a dark blue BMW SUV and driving off at speed.
Police and emergency services attended the scene and the injured man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
ACT Policing is seeking any information relating to the incident or witnesses who have not yet spoken to police.
Anyone who can assist is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 8099468. Information can be provided anonymously.
A 22-year-old Conder man will face court today, charged in relation to an alleged home invasion at a Turner residence last month.
About 8:30am on 16 June (2025), police responded to reports of a group of three males breaking into a unit on MacArthur Avenue in Turner.
Police allege the group gained access to the unit and assaulted the male occupant, resulting in injuries that required hospitalisation.
When officers arrived, three males fled the scene on foot towards Northbourne Avenue.
Inquiries in relation to the third man continued and yesterday (Sunday, 6 July 2025) ACT Criminal Investigation officers (with the assistance of General Duties, Road Policing and AFP Canine officers) executed a search warrant at a Conder home.
A 22-year-old man was located under the residence in a crawl-space and after a short negotiation, he surrendered to police.
He was charged with aggravated burglary – intent to commit theft and joint commission recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm. He is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today (Monday, 7 July 2025).
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 number 8078152. Information can be provided anonymously.
ACT Policing has welcomed 14 new police officers after a graduation ceremony was held this week at the National Gallery of Australia.
At a ceremony attended by family and friends, police leadership and instructing staff, the 11 men and three women will soon begin working at police stations across the Territory.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Dr Marisa Paterson thanked the new officers for selecting a career that is both challenging and rewarding.
“Policing is a noble profession – that requires officers to be at the same time decisive, empathetic, supportive and inquisitive,” said Minister Paterson.
“Officers can be assisting fellow Canberrans in their time of need and soon after, investigating a serious criminal offence, with no two days the same.”
The graduating class has an age range of 20 to 44-years-old with three officers moving to the ACT from interstate to take up a role In ACT Policing.
Before commencing their training at the AFP College in Barton, these officers worked in diverse industries including hospitality, military and Australian Defence Force roles, mental health, learning support and security vetting.
“On behalf of the ACT Government and the Canberra community, I say congratulations on your graduation and thank you for choosing policing. We wish you all the best with your policing career,” Minister Paterson said.
Deputy Chief Police Officer Paula Hudson welcomed the new police officers and congratulated them on completing the demanding six-month course.
“We’re very pleased to expand our ranks with these 14 men and women who bring with them a wealth of experience,” Deputy Chief Police Officer Hudson said.
“They will soon be out on the road serving our community and I wish them a long and fulfilling career in ACT Policing.”
The 14 new police officers joining ACT Policing this week are in addition to the 89 recruits who graduated and commenced with ACT Policing in the 2024-25 financial year.
An 81-year-old Curtin woman has faced court today after she was charged in relation to a collision on Parkes Way in November last year.
About 1pm on Saturday, 16 November (2024), a grey Mazda 3 was travelling along the Glenloch Interchange slip road from Caswell Drive towards Parkes Way. A short time later the grey Mazda 3 collided head on with a maroon Haval station wagon.
The driver of the Haval, who was 32 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision, was transported to hospital.
Tragically, the collision resulted in the loss of the driver’s unborn baby.
Earlier this year, investigators from the Major Collision Team summonsed the driver of the Mazda 3 (an 81-year-old Curtin woman) to face a charge of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm.
The woman is next scheduled to appear in court on 11 September 2025.
Mental health nurses, allied health professionals, alcohol and other drug practitioners, and lived and living experience workers can apply for financial support to ease the cost of study and take the next step in their careers.
The scholarships provide up to $13,000 for allied health, AOD and LLEW study; $3,000 contributions to support postgraduate nursing; and full-fee coverage for Graduate Diplomas and Masters in Mental Health Nursing.
Rachel Griffiths was a registered nurse for 11 years before starting her transition to specialty practice as a mental health nurse in 2020.
In 2021, she was awarded a $3000 postgraduate mental health nurse scholarship. The scholarship gave her an incentive to study a Master of Mental Health Nursing, says Rachel.
“The Masters helped me to incorporate things that I wasn’t aware of before starting my Masters. I was able to implement the information that I learnt at my workplace at that time.
“My journey has been so fantastic, and I’ve been given so many opportunities.”
Rachel encourages people working in the mental health and AOD workforce to apply for the scholarships.
“You’ve got nothing to lose”
Administered by the Department of Government Services and TheCollective, these scholarships are designed to relieve financial pressure, open leadership pathways and increase the mental health and alcohol and other drugs workforce’s capability.
The program is key to delivering the Mental Health and Wellbeing Workforce Strategy 2021-2024. It builds a workforce that is skilled, diverse and supported to thrive and in turn, strengthens services and outcomes for people, families and carers across Victoria. In 2024-25, 496 scholarships were awarded to the mental health workforce.
The scholarships respond directly to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which called for urgent growth and support of the workforce. Since the Royal Commission, more than $600 million has been committed to workforce initiatives, leading to a 25% increase in workforce.
