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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National

Three charged as police patrol South Coast fire grounds for looters

Three people have been charged over alleged offences committed in areas of the South Coast impacted by bushfires.

South Coast police were patrolling the Bangalee area shortly after 5pm on Sunday when they stopped and spoke to a 17-year-old boy on Arwon Close.

A large number of police are patrolling fire affected communities to prevent and target looters. Pictures: NSW Police

During a subsequent search of the teen, police located a screwdriver and bandanna.

The teen was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station where he was charged with possessing housebreaking implements, and a means to disguising his face with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children's court on January 23.

On Monday, police said they were patrolling Pitt Street, North Nowra, when they observed a man acting suspiciously.

Officers stopped and spoke to the man, before conducting a search and allegedly located a knife, a jemmy bar, torches, pliers, military badges, and a debit card.

The 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station, where he was charged with possessing housebreaking implements, goods in custody, possessing a knife in a public place and outstanding warrants.

He was granted bail to appear at Nowra Local Court on January 13.

Also on Monday, officers from the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor spoke to a 33-year-old man at Moruya after receiving information he was driving around the area and acting suspiciously.

He was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result. He was arrested and taken to Moruya Police Station, where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.257.

He was charged with high-range PCA and entering upon enclosed land without lawful excuse, which relates to an alleged trespass at a property at Wamban.

The Moruya man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Moruya Local Court on February 7.

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NSW Police deputy commissioner Gary Worboys on Tuesday labelled looting a "disgusting" crime and said neither the police nor community would accept it.

Mr Worboys said both uniformed and plain-clothed police officers would in the coming weeks patrol bushfire-affected NSW regions.

"There's no specific offence for looting but as we know, people's homes are their castles and particularly in these times of devastation, it really does go against the grain of the Australian people and spirit," Mr Worboys told reporters.

"People are looking for those simple items that they can convert to money."

He said there had not yet been reports of livestock theft.

It follows the alleged break-and-enter of a house and theft of a Ford Falcon sedan from the evacuated town of Batlow on Friday.

NSW emergency services minister David Elliott said he'd seek to appeal any criminal sentences for looting he deemed inadequate.

"We don't live in South Central LA or Syria. We don't do this to each other. This is the South Coast of NSW," Mr Elliott told reporters.

"I want people to be able to rebuild this state without fear of criminal activity."

Anyone with information about unsafe or unlawful behaviour in the bushfire affected region is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about unsafe or unlawful behaviour in the bushfire affected region is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

In the event of an emergency, contact Triple Zero.

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