NSW Police were called to Bulli Tops Lookout in the Illawarra on Sunday for what is being described as a “bias related incident” after a man was alleged to have abused and intimidated a family picnicking at the lookout.
Witnesses told police a 43-year-old man got into his car and drove circles around the family – including young children – around 12:45pm. Police were also told that the man had made threats towards the group throughout the incident.
A man has been charged with intimidation and driving in a dangerous manner following a suspected bias-related incident in the Illawarra yesterdayhttps://t.co/cCQcVtQ4kH
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) April 7, 2019
The man was found driving around a nearby car park. Police found and seized a hammer and a boxcutter after a search of the vehicle and charged the man with intimidation and dangerous driving.
The 43-year-old was refused bail and will appear in Wollongong Local Court on Monday.
The term “bias crime” is in place of “hate crime“. The NSW Police Bias Crime Unit is the only unit in the country tasked with policing “bias” crime.
The NSW Police Bias Crime Unit has been criticised in the past for reportedly leaving positions vacant for multiple years and downgrading the unit from four staff members to only one in 2017.
Wollongong Police District Commander Superintendent Chris Craner said in statement the investigation was continuing.
There is no place for any type of intimidation, abuse, or violence in New South Wales and I encourage the community to contact us to ensure every sintance can be investigated.
The safety of the community is our priority, and the NSW Police Force continues to work closely with all community groups to make sure not only are they safe – they feel safe.
Craner urged the public to come forward if they saw or recorded anything related to the incident.
