Two people have been charged after allegedly breaching the Public Health Order, intimidating a security guard and assaulting a police officer in Sydney's west yesterday.
About 7.45pm on Thursday (26 August 2021), officers attended a shopping centre at Polding Street, Wetherill Park, as part of ongoing COVID-19 compliance checks and observed two people who were not wearing masks inside the premise.
Officers approached the pair – a 41-year-old man and 42-year-old woman – who claimed to have medical exemptions for not wearing masks, before becoming verbally aggressive toward police.
The pair then allegedly threatened a security guard as they were stopped attempting to enter a store within the centre.
Police and security asked the pair to leave the area, before they became physically aggressive toward officers.
Additional police attended and following a short struggle – during which a female constable was allegedly assaulted – the man and woman were arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station.
The man was charged with attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm, resist officer in execution of duty, two counts of not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 - COVID-19, and not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises.
The woman was charged with resist officer in execution of duty, assault officer in execution of duty, and two counts of not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 - COVID-19.
They were both refused bail and are due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court today (Friday 27 August 2021).
The female constable did not require medical treatment.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any public health order or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community by contacting Crime Stoppers: on 1800 333 000 or via https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
