Police prepared as beachgoers urged to return: [2 All-round First Edition]
Stapleton, John. Weekend Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 24 Dec 2005: 8.
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Abstract
AN extra 800 police officers will work Sydney’s beaches this weekend despite assurances from politicians and police that the worst of the Cronulla race riots is now over.
In a separate case, two 17-year-olds allegedly involved in a violent incident at Cronulla train station were granted bail under tight conditions.
In further developments, two more people were charged for allegedly sending offensive and inciting text messages in the days following the Cronulla riots.
Full Text
AN extra 800 police officers will work Sydney’s beaches this weekend despite assurances from politicians and police that the worst of the Cronulla race riots is now over.
Latest figures released by the police yesterday show there have been 289 arrests, 501 charges, 15 vehicles seized and 42 mobile phones confiscated in the police operation to control the violence.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma, who has urged people to return to the beaches, will tour trouble spots today and receive a police briefing on preparations for the Christmas weekend and the week leading up to the New Year.
There were a number of court appearances yesterday relating to the Cronulla riots that erupted on December 11 and subsequent revenge attacks.
A 24-year-old unemployed father from Sydney’s west, Hadi Khawaja, was refused bail after being charged with malicious damage.
Police allege he was involved in an incident with a 17-year-old male during which the flag from the Brighton-le-Sands RSL was retrieved from the roof of the building and burned in front of a crowd of 150 men of Middle Eastern appearance.
It is alleged that Mr Khawaja said he was doing it to take revenge “for Cronulla”.
Police believe that “with the current climate in the south of Sydney, the accused may well attempt to incite further acts of violence in the area if allowed bail”.
In a separate case, two 17-year-olds allegedly involved in a violent incident at Cronulla train station were granted bail under tight conditions.
The incident came amid racial unrest at Cronulla, in which a crowd of 5000 turned on anyone who appeared to be of Middle Eastern origin.
The Bidura Children’s Court was shown a seven-minute video in which a youngster could be seen standing on a train seat.
Crown prosecutor Gary Charlesworth said it was clear the teenager had been involved in violent behaviour.
“The young person joined this assembly … this abhorrent, horrendous attack within the train carriage,” he told the court.
In further developments, two more people were charged for allegedly sending offensive and inciting text messages in the days following the Cronulla riots.
A 17-year-old girl will be officially cautioned, while a 25-year- old man was charged after sending two different text messages 42 times urging people to meet at Cronulla beach last weekend.