Police are urging motorists to slow down and take care on regional roads as part of an ongoing road safety operation targeting compliance and dangerous driving in the Tamworth area.
In December 2021, officers attached to Oxley Police District established to Operation Soteria following a number of reports of dangerous driving involving unregistered trail bikes in the western Tamworth area.
So far this year, police attached to Operation Soteria have responded to reports of dangerous driving-related incidents and motor vehicle thefts in the local area. This includes;
- About 3.50pm on Saturday 1 January 2022, police stopped an orange and black motorcycle on Armidale Road, Tamworth West, allegedly being driven above the signposted speed limit. The rider – a 16-year-old boy – allegedly attempted to run from the scene before he was arrested by police. Following inquiries, police identified that the motorcycle had been stolen from a home in Tamworth last month. The teenager was taken to Tamworth Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, and driver never licensed. The boy was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 18 January 2022.
– On Tuesday 4 January 2022, police were notified after three motorcycles were allegedly stolen from a business on Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth. Police attended and commenced an investigation into the incident. The motorcycles are described as a CRF 450 Honda motorcycle, a YZ 250 Yamaha motorcycle, and a CRF 80 Honda motorcycle ‘4 stroke’. As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information on the motorcycles to come forward.
As part of ongoing proactive operations, officers attached to Operation Soteria conducted a targeted two-day road safety operation last Wednesday (12 January 2022) and Thursday (13 January 2022).
Local police were assisted throughout the operation by officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Western Region Enforcement Squad, PolAir and the Tamworth Regional Council.
Of note during the two-day operation, police observed a red Honda dirt bike and green Kawasaki motorbike allegedly being driven in a dangerous manner throughout West Tamworth, about 2pm on Wednesday (12 January 2022). Police attempted to stop the riders – who were not wearing helmets – a number of times on Green Street, Warral Road, Kenny Drive and Sussex Street, West Tamworth; however, they failed to stop as directed. Further inquiries led police to locate the red Honda dirt bike at a home at Hillvue and it was seized for forensic examination. As inquiries into the incident continue, police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
Police will continue to conduct similar road safety operations in the coming months to ensure the safety of the community.
