There were no major incidents on New Years Eve anywhere in the Federation Shire according to Sergeant Steve Marshall from Corowa Police.
Sgt Marshall’s job will be made easier from next month as he rebuilds his team of police officers.
“Corowa Police are looking forward to 2026 with new police coming to the area in February,” he said.
“These are exiting times for Corowa and Howlong Police; some staff from Murray River Police District are rewarded with small sector responsibilities in Howlong and other police will be transferring to the district.
“I am excited with the team we will have here.”
Sgt Marshall was understandably pleased with the general good behaviour on New Year’s Eve.
“It’s good to see that people have been able to go out and celebrate the New Year without someone ruining the night,” Sgt Marshall said.
“Generally, this has been the case for the whole of December which was really good to see.”
Without having to attend licensed premises, police were able to focus on being proactive and attack developing issues in the town.
There have been petty thieves getting around the Corowa Business District in the early hours of the morning.
Police received numerous reports of locals appearing on CCTV in the rear of a Sanger Street business.
The Chamber of Commerce was advised and supported police to advise businesses to secure the rear of their properties and provide signage which allows police to prosecute offenders should they trespass onto properties.
Sgt Marshall has assured the community that police know the identities of those seen on CCTV and are looking to prosecute them at every opportunity.
“This is a timely reminder to everyone in the Federation Shire, particularly Corowa and Howlong, to lock your doors at night,” he said.
“Secure your vehicles at night and if you have a work ute or similar carrying tools, make sure they are locked and secure.
“These are opportunistic criminals looking for a quick earn off your hard-earned work; don’t give them the opportunity.”
Police have been monitoring the Corowa and Howlong social pages and have noticed a developing issue of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Contrary to Victorian rules, it is not legal to ride e-scooters on any footpath, road or public area in NSW.
There are likely changes in the wind before NSW Parliament however as it stands, they are “non registerable motor vehicles” and can only be ridden on private property.
While off duty, police have witnessed people riding scooters both on the road and footpath in Sanger St, Corowa putting older people at risk.
“Police are aware of how many of these items were gifted over Christmas, however should these e-scooters be seen anywhere there is high pedestrian traffic, such as the Corowa and Howlong CBD, you will be spoken to,” Sgt Marshall said.
“Given that none of these scooters are registerable or insurable, should some form of collision occur, the liability will always fall with the rider of the e-scooter as the law currently says they shouldn’t be there.”
Legislation is slightly clearer with e-bikes; if an e-bike does not have pedals, it is an unregistrable motorcycle and is illegal; or if it does not cut out when you stop pedalling, or does not cut out at 25km/h, it is illegal.
Sgt Marshall said one of the most continually breached rules with e-bikes was that only under 16’s can ride on the footpath, though he said that was not to be confused with the bike tracks around the river.
•For further information click on the link https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/e-bikes_and_motorised_wheeled_devices.
•For more information on e-scooters click on the link https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/e-scooters.
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