Two charged, 85 issued penalties in Public Health Order crackdown across Mid-North Coast

More than 85 people, including kids 16 years and younger, have been issued penalties for breaching newly introduced public health across the Mid-North Coast. Two will appear in court next month.

A significant police crackdown on tightened health restrictions across the Mid-North Coast has resulted in more than 85 people issued with penalty notices and two charged.

Operation Stay At Home, which commenced across NSW on August 16, went into full swing across the weekend with high visibility traffic and foot patrols conducted across Mid-North Coast streets, highways and businesses.

Since the operation started, police have issued 85 Personal Infringement Notices [PINS] for breaches of the Public Health Act restrictions.

85 people have been issued with infringements for breaching public health orders.

They included 46 PINs for not wearing face covering offences; 33 PINs for not comply with Covid-19 direction notices; five PINs for fail to comply with the requirements of public health order – Covid-19 and; one fail to comply with electronic registration directive.

In addition to the PINs, police also issued four Court Attendance Notices, 16 warnings have been given and seven young people dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

A Mid-North Coast police spokesman said despite the vast majority of people abiding by the rules, the small number of individuals who were not doing the right thing were putting the rest of the community at risk.

“It is vital we limit movement in regional areas as much as we can,” the spokesman said.

“This is about protecting our communities across NSW and ensuring we stop any further spread of the Delta variant.

“If you see people doing the wrong thing, please continue to come forward to police and report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. We will investigate every report.”

Operation Stay At home patrols.

About 1.10pm on Saturday, Port Macquarie police stopped a white Nissan Pulsar sedan on William St, Port Macquarie.

The vehicle contained three occupants. Police will allege in court their association was contrary to the current Public Health Orders.

The driver, a 28-year-old Port Macquarie man, was given a roadside drug test, which returned a positive reading. He was taken to Port Macquarie Police Station for a secondary test that was sent off for analysis.

He was issued with a 24-hour direction not to drive, and was also issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offences of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period and fail to comply requirement public health order – Covid-19.

He will appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on September 29.

Following a search of the vehicle police allege they located an expandable baton.

One of the passengers, a 30-year-old Port Macquarie man will appear in court for possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and not complying with notice direction re section 7/8/9 – Covid-19.

He will appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on October 6.

The third occupant, a 26-year-old Port Macquarie woman was issued with an infringement notice for the offence of failing to comply with notice direction in relation to section 7/8/9 – Covid-19.