A state-wide campaign aimed at mobilising members of the public in the fight against ‘ice’ will arrive in Newcastle City Local Area Command (LAC) today.

The ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign has been initiated and funded by the Commonwealth Government, and is currently taking place in States and Territories across Australia.

In NSW, the campaign is being held in 21 LACs across the state, over a six-month period between March and September 2016.

It will run in each LAC for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stoppers will conduct community-engagement activities designed to educate the public on the dangers of illicit drugs and how they can show their support for the campaign.

These activities will also highlight the important role members of the public have in helping police to shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers.

During the campaign, residents across Newcastle City LAC will be urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal, where they can report drug-dealing activities anonymously.

While members of the public are encouraged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers, the focus of the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is the production, distribution and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine).

A man and a woman have been charged following an alleged aggravated robbery near Newcastle yesterday.

About 5.20pm (Saturday 28 August 2016), a 69-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were at an oval on Olney Street, Awaba, when they saw two people riding dirt bikes on the oval.

Police will allege the 69-year-old man approached the riders and asked them to leave.

The riders, a 31-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, became aggressive and the man on the bike rode towards the older woman, allegedly hitting her and knocking her to the ground.

The older man went to her assistance when the younger man allegedly punched him to the ground and continued to assault him.

It’s alleged the 68-year-old woman was further assaulted by the younger woman, before the riders left with the older man’s mobile phone.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and commenced an investigation.

The 69-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment for injuries including cuts, bruising and possible fractures.

Following inquiries, police attended a home on Heaton Street, Awaba, and arrested a 21-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man today (Sunday 28 August 2016),

The pair was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm and one count of common assault.

They were granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Tuesday 13 September 2016.