Latest news with #Richardson
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Gangland enforcers Tamo Junto vow to step up attacks on fleeing Daniel and Richardson crime clan
The faceless and frightening mob waging war on behalf of Dubai-based kingpin Ross McGill have sent a clear statement of intent to rivals. Gangland enforcers Tamo Junto (TMJ) have vowed to step up attacks on fleeing Daniel and Richardson crime clans in a chilling new video. The faceless and frightening mob waging war on behalf of Dubai-based kingpin Ross McGill sent a threatening message while showing off footage of a firebomb attack. A property in on Jackson Way in Tranent, East Lothian, was targeted on Friday, June 13. The front door and window of the home can be seen engulfed in flames. The video then ends with a sinister warning that more attacks are yet to come. In a threatening message, TMJ, lay claim to attacks on more than 40 people, as they boasted about a wave of infernos to houses, businesses and cars. They then go on to mock one of Mark Richardson's top associates David McMillan, who was allegedly attacked with machetes by thugs outside his Edinburgh home last month. A warning from the gang read: 'Since March, more than 40 people have had their houses, businesses and cars torched. 'The majority of you have left your homes throughout this period. 'David McMillan is one of the few who stayed put, albeit he hired 24/7 security to sit outside his home. Look how that worked out… 'You have retaliated against us by creating social media accounts, sending fake stories to the papers and burning the odd car. 'TMJ have no social media accounts, never have and never will. 'We will continue to target you on a regular basis for stealing from us.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The gang wars were sparked after Richardson's men allegedly ripped off McGill when they paid £500,000 for the drugs using fake bank notes. Police Scotland have vowed to crackdown on the violence, and have arrested 48 people in connection with Operation Portaledge.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Ex-TV star asks to be spared conviction for Nazi salute
An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections. An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ex-TV star asks to be spared conviction for Nazi salute
An ex-television soap star is asking to be spared a criminal conviction for allegedly performing a Nazi salute. Former Neighbours and McLeod's Daughters actor Damien Patrick Richardson, 55, faced Moorabbin Magistrates Court in suburban Melbourne supported by his mother on Friday. He has been charged with performing a Nazi salute on September 14, 2024. Richardson is accused of intentionally performing the salute "whilst knowing that the symbol is associated with Nazi ideology" in a public place at Urban St restaurant in McKinnon, the court was told. Defence, prosecution and Richardson all appeared online on Friday morning, but magistrate Luisa Bazzani asked them to come into the court in person. Richardson's lawyer Peter Monagle said his client was preparing material to hand to prosecutors asking he be given a diversion. Diversion would mean Richardson is spared a criminal conviction for the offence, however the prosecution must agree to this and then recommend it to a magistrate. Mr Monagle said if the diversion was not accepted by the prosecution then the matter would proceed to a three-hour contest mention. "The issues in dispute are legal," he told the court. "There was an action performed by my client, but there are provisions in the act that we say cover that, but the prosecution argues doesn't cover that." He said there was no relevant prior case law, because the only people convicted of the offence "openly said they were Nazis". The first Victorian convicted of performing the gesture in public was Jacob Hersant, a far-right extremist who was handed a one-month jail term and is appealing this. Hersant performed the salute in front of news cameras in October 2023, days after it was outlawed. Mr Monagle asked for time to gather materials in favour of diversion, including character and work references, and said Richardson has four letters from people who were at the event in question. Ms Bazzani said if diversion is accepted, the matter will go before a magistrate for consideration. If diversion is not accepted by the prosecution, then it is open for Richardson to enter a plea and seek a sentence indication, she said. Richardson, who is on summons, will next face court on July 15. He starred as Gary Canning in Neighbours from 2014 to 2020, and also appeared in Blue Heelers, McLeod's Daughters and Wentworth. He retired from acting in 2021 and unsuccessfully stood as a political candidate in the 2022 federal and state elections.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Slain gangster Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll replaced by new enforcer for "A Team" mob amid gang war
A TikTok page run by the faceless "A Team" claims a new recruit has been brought into the ranks. Gangland mob the "A Team" have warned their rivals a new enforcer has been recruited to replace slain Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll. The chilling threat from the Daniel and Richardson outfit came after gangsters Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, and Ross Monaghan, 43, were gunned down at a pub in the Costa Del Sol. A TikTok page run by the faceless gang has fired a series of insults and threats to the Lyons mob and Dubai-based Ross McGill's Tamo Junto (TMJ) group - which has targeted senior Daniel and Richardson figures for four months. A message from the "A Team" told rival operatives: 'You allegedly got rid of this man out of total fear. RIP, Gerbil. He would have terrorised you. A real soldier, like our new friend who has replaced him." In a series of mocking posts they branded former Rangers 'ultra' McGill a 'keyboard gangster' who was engaged in 'school boy' attacks via his TMJ gang. Another message read: "Take your wannabe joke of a clan and come back when you are all man enough to handle stuff like men." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Feared Daniels enforcer Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll was gunned down in 2010 as he sat in the back seat of an Audi in the Asda car park in Robroyston. The son-in-law of mobster Jamie Daniel, he was known for kidnapping and torturing rival drug dealers in attacks dubbed "alien abductions". Ross Monaghan was arrested over the shooting but was acquitted after a judge at the High Court in Glasgow ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict him. William 'Buff' Paterson, 45, was later convicted of the murder in 2015 and sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison. Earlier this week the Record revealed that around a dozen senior members from the Daniel clan and Richardson mob had fled Scotland. An underworld source said: 'Nobody knows exactly where they have gone or how long for but most of them are believed to be in Dubai and the rest are in the Costa del Sol. 'The TMJ gang were watching closely and hoping to catch one of them out in the open but all of a sudden they just upped sticks and left." The move came after Spanish cops blamed the double execution of Lyons Jnr and pal Ross Monaghan on "an internal member of the Daniel gang". Boss Steven Lyons is believed to have ordered bloody recriminations from his bolthole in Dubai following the deaths of his brother Eddie and trusted pal Monaghan. The source added: "Steven Lyons wants serious revenge for the death of his brother and best friend. Steven won't be content or even able to grieve properly until he claims some serious scalps from within the Daniel and Richardson gangs." Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: "We have been assisting Spanish colleagues with their investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. "We are not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge." Michael Riley, 44, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in connection with the shooting in Spain later today. The total number of arrests in connection with the investigation Operation Portaledge is 48.
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Meat in the sandwich': back-and-forth about Sonia Hornery derails Wallsend violence debate
COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency. COUNCILLORS want solutions to combat an "uptick" in anti-social behaviour and violent attacks at Wallsend Library that have made staff and residents feel unsafe. Newcastle Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull tabled a motion this week urging the state government to increase police patrols and help stop troublemakers in their tracks. Cr Pull said ratepayers are covering the cost of a security guard at the library, and now, the council is in the "extraordinary" position of considering paying police. He said library patrons, shoppers and bus users are being "terrorised". "Policing is the responsibility of the NSW government, and our region pours billions of dollars every year into the state government's coffers," Cr Pull said. "So I think it's a reasonable expectation of Wallsend residents that they'd be able to feel safe in their own suburb, and that we be given the resources, and police be given the resources, that they need to effectively do their job. "For the sake of our town and the good name of our town, I think we can expect that." In May, youths carrying hammers attacked the windows of the library. Two weeks earlier, a group of people blocked the entry and refused to allow people to enter or leave. That same month, Wallsend Swimming Pool was broken into and trashed for the third time this season. The council has restricted access to the library, requiring visitors to scan their cards to enter after 3pm on weekdays. Labor councillor Deahnna Richardson said the majority of bad behaviour in the area is perpetrated by children aged 11 to 17. She requested targeted diversionary programs for youth and a memo detailing the agencies that have been engaged and those needed beyond police to address the issue. "I'm incredibly sad staff do not feel safe in their workplace," Cr Richardson said. "I'm also deeply saddened that we have a group of children ... who are so disengaged ... that they've taken to intimidating other patrons of the library, assaulting Newcastle bus drivers and vandalising our precious community spaces in quite a violent way." Cr Richardson said there is an opportunity to intervene and put supports in place. That tack had the support of Greens councillor Joel Pringle, who said policing alone would not address the issue. He suggested looking at something similar to the Cairns Community Safety Plan, introduced in 2022 to measure behaviour, introduce interventions and evaluates how effective they are. Council chief executive Jeremy Bath said the council had considered the Cairns strategy, but he had reservations about a mass CCTV rollout. "The total number of offences in Cairns two years was 6932, it's increased to 7836 in January of this year, so it's having a limited effect," he said. "I think it's got a lot of PR and a lot of sensationalism to it, but I don't know that it's necessarily the holistic solution that we want to be looking at." Newcastle police have met with the council to discuss a joint response. "A user-pays policing response is not being considered by police, as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime at the location sits within the remit of the Newcastle City Police District," a NSW Police spokesman said. "Police have increased high-visibility patrols of the area in response to those reports and have issued move-on directions to youths at the location on two occasions in recent days." In the last month, police have received three reports of anti-social behaviour near the library. The council debate was momentarily derailed over whether or not Mr Bath or independent lord mayor Ross Kerridge had responded to correspondence from Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery on the issue. Mr Bath claimed there had been no correspondence since Cr Kerridge took office and said Ms Hornery "made a decision in October last year" that she "wanted to communicate exclusively" with the lord mayor on operational issues. "The only emails that I've received from the state member for Wallsend since the election have been to say that she will not meet with me, she will not meet with council staff, she wants to meet exclusively with you," Mr Bath said. "I can't allow the council to think that I'm not responding to the state member for Wallsend, because I am bending over backwards to try and communicate with her." Cr Kerridge described himself as the "meat in the sandwich". "We need to work on it," he said. Ms Hornery took to Facebook on Wednesday to blast Mr Bath for claims he made at the council meeting. "Mr Bath stated that there is no correspondence from me to him relating to the Wallsend Library that has not been responded to," she said. "I can establish that I did indeed write to Mr Bath on 8 November 2024, and the CEO did not respond." Ms Hornery said the letter to Mr Bath was a "sincere representation" on behalf of a Wallsend constituent. Community members are urged to report suspicious activity to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or call Triple Zero in an emergency.
