High visibility policing operation targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in Western Region

A man will face court later this month following a high-visibility police operation targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in the state’s north-east.

In November 2021, officers attached to Western Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Operation Western Thunderbolt to proactively target crime and anti-social behaviour, and to provide high visibility policing throughout the region.

Between Tuesday 4 January 2022 and yesterday (Thursday 6 January 2022), police were deployed to the Tamworth area.

About 1.40am yesterday (Thursday 6 January 2022), police responded to a motel on Goonoo Goonoo Road, South Tamworth following reports of a man refusing to leave the site after a request by the manager.

Officers from Western RES attended, and the man was given a move on direction. When he failed to comply, the 27-year-old was arrested after a short struggle.

He was taken to Tamworth Police Station where he was charged with continue intoxicated behaviour after move on direction and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty.

The Werris Creek man was granted conditional bail to appear at Tamworth Local Court on Monday 24 January 2022.

Acting Western Region Enforcement Squad and Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team Co-ordinator, Detective Acting Inspector Robert Bevern said the team achieved some great results in assisting the Oxley Police District with this high visibility policing operation.

“Deployments such as Operation Western Thunderbolt not only work toward maintaining public safety but also increasing community confidence across the region, Det/A/Insp Bevern said.

“We will continue to assist police districts throughout western region with similar operations.”

During the operation, police conducted 45 random breath tests, 6 person searches and recovered a stolen motor vehicle.

Operation Western Thunderbolt will continue with further deployments in the coming months.

/Public Release. View in full here.