Police are investigating after a man’s body was located in water in the state’s Hunter region yesterday.

A member of the public saw a body in the Hunter River at Morpeth just after 5.30pm (Friday 28 August 2015).

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended, retrieved the body and established a crime scene.

An investigation was commenced at the location and was examined by specialist forensic officers.

The man has not been formally identified.

Inquiries are continuing into the circumstances surrounding how the man ended up in the river; however it is not believed to be suspicious.

Police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist with their investigation to contact Crime Stoppers.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police investigating the armed robbery of a bakery near Newcastle are renewing their appeal for any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to come forward.

About 4.40pm on Friday 24 July 2015, a 60-year-old woman was working in a bakery on Ridge Street, Merewether (about 4km south west of Newcastle) when a man armed with a knife entered the store.

Police have been told the armed man threatened the woman, before running from the scene in a westerly direction, taking cash.

A 30-year-old male witness attempted to stop the man; however lost sight of him a short time later.

No one was injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Newcastle Local Area Command were notified and commenced investigating the incident.

As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 30s, about 188cm tall, of slim build, and was wearing a white striped hooded jumper.

Additionally, investigating officers are keen to speak with any witnesses who have not yet provided a statement.

Anyone who has information that may assist with the ongoing investigation is urged to come forward.

A man has been charged with drug, firearm and property offences, following a traffic stop at Adamstown, earlier this week.

About 11:45pm on Wednesday (26 August 2015), police attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command stopped a Holden wagon on Mandalong Road.

They spoke to the driver, a 31-year-old man, before searching him and the car.

During the search police located a small firearm, as well as ice and other items in the car, alleged to be stolen.

All items were seized and will undergo forensic examination.

The man was arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with;

– Possess unregistered firearm,

– Possess firearm,

– Supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity),

– Possess prohibited drug, and

– Goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen.

He appeared at Newcastle Local Court yesterday and was refused bail. He will re-appear on Wednesday 9 September 2015.

Police will focus on the safety of motorcycle riders as part of Operation Silverstone, which will be launched today in the Hunter Valley, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie regions.

Chief Inspector Trent Le-Merton, Northern Region Traffic Tactician for the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said Operation Silverstone was about keeping drivers and riders alive on our roads.

“Unlike the legendary Silverstone racing circuit, our roads should not be used as racetracks, as some drivers and riders have, which is costing lives,” Chief Inspector Le-Merton said.

“The operation will involve a range of police resources including both marked and unmarked Highway Patrol cars, police motorcycles and aircraft for aerial surveillance, all focused on detecting those drivers and riders putting themselves, and other road users at great risk.

Traffic & Highway Patrol Officers will maintain a high-visibility presence throughout the operation, which will be combined with other enforcement strategies.

“Police activities will be promoted through social media and directly through vehicle enthusiast websites to heighten public awareness of this road safety strategy.

“Sadly, 29 fatalities have been recorded on Hunter roads in 2015 after a spate of multiple fatalities, which is 13 more than 2014.

There have been 41 motorcycle fatalities this year in NSW including two this month on the Putty Rd, which is a recognised motorcycle riding route. This is four more than this time last year. Last year 63 riders lost their lives across NSW. Motorcyclists made up about 20 percent of last year’s road toll which is alarming given motorcycles only make up about 5 percent of registered vehicles,” he said.

Chief Inspector Le-Merton said it was those riders detected speeding and overtaking unsafely that were presenting a great risk on our roads.

“Many speed-related motorcycle crashes happen in good conditions with no other vehicles involved. There seems to be an over-representation of mature-aged riders on powerful machines who are coming ‘unstuck’ on curves striking road side objects.

“Even experienced riders need time to react to changing situations on the road and as we get older reaction times slow. Driving or riding too fast for the prevailing road conditions, even though you may be below the speed limit can lead to tragic consequences. It takes three-quarters of a second to make a decision to act once you see a hazard, and the same time again for the action to be effective.

“At 60km/h, you will have travelled 25m in that 1.5 second before you even start to brake. Drivers and riders who are tired, distracted or impaired by alcohol or drugs can take longer to react.

“Driving or riding at a speed that reduces the time you have to react to unexpected hazards will increase your risk of a crash. Always be aware of your surroundings and other road users,” Chief Inspector Le-Merton said.

Police are appealing for information after a boy was approached in Mayfield last week.

About 8:10am (Friday 21 August 2015), an 11-year old boy was walking along Simpson Court, when he noticed a man, with his face covered with a black bandanna, was walking behind him.

Police have been told that as the boy neared a stairwell at the end of Simpson Court, near Bull Street, the man was still walking behind him and the boy broke into a run.

The man ran after the boy, who continued running until he got into his school on Bull Street.

Police were contacted and officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and commenced an investigation.

As inquiries continue, police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist them.

He was described as being aged between 25 and 30, about 180cm tall, of muscular build, with shoulder length blond hair. The man was wearing a black zipped hoodie, black jeans and black shoes.

A man has been charged with an act of animal cruelty following an incident in the Central Hunter region.

About 9pm (Friday 21 August 2015), it is alleged a 22-year-old man was at a house in Cornish Street, Cessnock, when he kicked a small dog in the head.

The dog received severe head injuries and died at the scene.

The man left the house and was arrested in Maitland Road.

The Kurri Kurri man was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with one count of commit an act of cruelty upon an animal.

He is expected to appear in Cessnock Local Court on 9 September 2015.