Police will be issuing Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to 19 adults caught gathering for an illegal street-racing ‘meet’ west of Newcastle yesterday.
Highway Patrol officers from Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle were called to the Stockrington Conservation Area in Haul Road about 4pm (Saturday 11 April 2020), and saw up to 40 vehicles gathered within a closed area.
Drivers attempted to leave the scene when police arrived; however, 19 vehicles were stopped, the rest escaping into surrounding bushland.
Police will be alleging the group had gathered for the purpose of street racing and burnouts, with two vehicles brought to the site on trailers; police allege these had been specifically modified to conduct burnouts.
These 19 people will now be issued with PINs for breaching the Public Health Order, with 13 of those also being fined for being in the Conservation Area unlawfully.
Three children were found to be accompanying the adults – one aged nine years and two aged 18 months – and officers will be making notifications to Family and Community Services.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Command’s Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said this was exactly the kind of incident his officers had been working to prevent.
“Gatherings of virtually any kind are breaching the current Public Health Order but gathering to conduct street racing and burnouts in a park is illegal, irresponsible and beyond my understanding,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“I am appalled at the fact that up to 40 drivers were willing to put themselves and others at risk on so many levels.
“And I am even more appalled by the fact three children – who have no choice in the matter – were also exposed to risk; my officers will be alerting the relevant authorities to the actions of their parents and caregivers.
“We have identified 19 people who will be getting Infringement Notices (PINs), and we will be working to identify the other drivers who fled.
“Anyone with information about this incident, or any other illegal gatherings such as this, is urged to alert police.
“My officers will continue to monitor the situation and, if breaches are found, they will take action,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
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