Cops stop 394 drivers, take hundreds of Covid breach calls

Police are ramping up their high-visibility patrols on the North Coast, as officers work to stop the spread of Covid-19 in regional communities.

POLICE CHECKS: As part of Operation Boundary Response, officers are conducting mobile vehicle stops and checks to ensure drivers are complying with current Stay at Home Orders in place and are using automatic number plate recognition as well as data from Roads and Maritime NSW to identify vehicles from outside of the area.

A senior police officer has said that an increased police presence has intercepted nearly 400 drivers on the North Coast during Operation Boundary Response, which included the M1 plus numerous rural roads and back routes.

Northern Region Commander Regional Emergency Operations Controller, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said officers across Northern NSW were continuing high-visibility operations and enforcement to prevent Covid-19 from spreading further into communities.

He said the time for giving warnings had gone, and warned that people who did not comply with public health orders could expect a fine or in more serious instances, be arrested and charged.

In the case of the Sydney man who was found to have been infectious while in the Byron area, Mr McKenna said police were still investigating.

“The male who tested positive in the Byron Bay area who’s in Lismore Base Hospital now, has been thoroughly debriefed by contract tracers from NSW Health,” he said.

“If he has undertaken any breaches of PHOs then appropriate action will be taken.”

Mr McKenna said police “have ramped up” their responses.

“We have been using Traffic and Highway Patrol up and down the North Coast,” he said.

“We have stopped nearly 400 vehicles, not just on main M1 but also on arterial routes and have issued 15 infringements and a number of cars were turned back.”

Mr McKenna also said they had received “hundred and hundreds” of calls from people regarding alleged public health order breaches.

“If you believe someone is breeching PHOs... call your local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said.

“For those of you on the Far North Coast, my message to you is that we are all in this together.

“In the regions we are used to rolling up our sleeves when times get tough.”

Mr McKenna said as part of Operation Boundary Response, officers were conducting mobile vehicle stops and checks to ensure drivers are complying with current Stay at Home Orders in place.

Police will also be utilising automatic number plate recognition as well as data from Roads and Maritime NSW to identify vehicles from outside of the area.

Police statistics from Monday August 9

• Vehicles interacted with relating to Public Health Order – 394

• Vehicles detected travelling against PHO and turned around – 7

• PIN issued for face covering offence – individual – 8.

• PIN issued for breach of Public Health Order – Individual – 9

• Warnings issued relating to PHO offences – 3

• RBT Conducted – 486

• RDT Conducted – 10 (one positive detection)

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers and information is treated in strict confidence.

The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.