Thin Blue Line - July 4, 2023

Gilgandra police will lose another staff member next month, as the sergeant Nicholas Campbell transfers to another post, but the lack of local police numbers shouldn’t be of concern, a NSW Police spokesperson said. Two police officers left Gilgandra in the past months. Now with the announcement of a third officer leaving, the community is becoming concerned.

In a statement to The Gilgandra Weekly NSW Police explained that Gilgandra police station is part of the Orana-Mid Western Police District. “Officers conduct duties according to operational needs to target, disrupt,

prevent and respond to crime,” they said. “Local resources operate on a robust deployment model and are supplemented by specialist police, who can be deployed to meet changing community needs and respond to emerging issues.

“Police numbers are subject to fluctuations due to a number of factors including training, special operations and leave. The NSW Police Force regularly reviews resourcing and allocation of officers according to operational needs.”

A community farewell will be held for sgt Campbell in the coming weeks. 

Man charged by police, after Coonamble pursuit 

A Gilgandra man wanted for outstanding warrants was arrested and charged on Friday, June 30, 2023. Police arrested 32-year-old, Gilgandra man, Bradley Hamilton last Friday, when officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District attended Gilgandra after they received information regarding a wanted man being in the area.

A perimeter was established, with assistance from neighbouring police, and following inquiries, Hamilton was arrested at a home on Wamboin Street, at about 2.25pm.

He was taken to Dubbo Police Station where he was charged with four outstanding warrants. The warrants were for various offences including police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, take and drive conveyance with- out consent of owner and domestic-related offences.

Police will allege in court that the pursuit occurred on Saturday, June 17, in Coonamble. Hamilton was refused bail to appear before Dubbo Bail Court on Saturday, July 1. Here, he was before deputy registrar A

Duggan at Dubbo Local Court, with the following mat- ters presented to the court:

• Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic),

• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner x2,

• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period x2, and

• Fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledg- ment.

On Monday, July 3, Hamilton also appeared before magistrate G Wilson at Dubbo Local Court for the fol- lowing matters:

• Police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly,

• Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, 

• Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road,

• Use uninsured motor vehicle on road, and

• Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic). 

Thieves about: Gilgandra township car break-ins 

Between 5pm on Saturday, July 1, and 9am on Sunday, July 2, two vehicles were broken into on Miller Street, Gilgandra.

Between these times, someone has allegedly entered a white Ford Ranger and taken some loose change. Around the same time, a white Toyota Hilux was also entered, where a wallet and money was stolen. Police officers have commenced an investigation into circum- stances surrounding both incidents.

Residents are reminded to not keep valuables in vehicles or in sight of passers by, to deter potential thieves from opportunistic crimes.