On 18 September 2025, the Lake Macquarie Police District Principal’s Forum was held at Lake Macquarie PCYC, Windale. It was attended by approximately 40 Principals from primary and high schools within the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area. The forum aims to build connections between Police and Schools; experience shows that different agencies working together leads to better outcomes for children.

Presentations were from:

• The Police Youth Command, which supports young people and reduces youth crime by developing and implementing programs aimed at supporting at-risk youth before issues escalate into more serious problems, such as committing criminal offences.
• The Police Transport Command, whose role is to reduce crime and prevent antisocial behaviour on public transport, investigates transport-related offences and responds to emergencies as well as assisting in major public events.
• The Police Children’s Court Prosecutor, who are officers with specialist legal and advocacy training and appear in various courts across the state, including Local and Children’s Courts.

E-bikes and E-Scooters

The presentation by the Police Youth Command focused on e-bikes and e-scooters. E-scooters are illegal to ride on NSW roads as they are not registered vehicles.

If a user of an e-scooter is 16 years or over and using a shared scheme e-scooter in a designated council trial area, it is not illegal within certain conditions:

• E-scooters – Advice for families
• Riding electric scooters in NSW | NSW Government

Transport NSW Motorised Bicycles outlines electric powered bikes are permitted only if they are power-assisted or provide electric-power assistance to cycle, and they do not exceed 25km/hr.

Police highlighted that e-bikes and e-scooters are becoming a huge issue for schools with many students riding them to school each day, often without helmets and at speed. Police spoke of a recent incident which involved the death of a student’s parent outside the school whilst riding an E-scooter. Police are focusing on education for students, parents and carers of the dangers they pose.

Many may not realise that if a student is fined for riding an e-scooter or e-bike the bike is often confiscated in addition to infringements issued. Despite these fines being costly, the consequence which has the most impact on students can be a suspension of the student’s driver’s license, often before they even have a driver’s license. This suspension can be for a period of years, therefore impacting student’s eligibility to apply for their ‘L’s’ when they are 16 years old.

Youth Command Police are happy to attend schools to educate students on the dangers and risks associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.

More information about the use of e-bikes and e-Scooters can be found here:

• E-bikes – Advice for families
• Bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters
• Riding bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters in NSW | NSW Government

A minimum age to ride an e-bike is being introduced in NSW, currently there is no age restriction on riding an e-bike or carrying a passenger if the bike is designed to do so. Consultation regarding minimum age restrictions is currently occurring, with recommendations expected to be provided to Government by June 2026.

Knives in schools

The Police Transport Command discussed the increasing problem of students carrying knives at school, travelling to and from school, or out in public. There have been many fatal incidents involving children and knives in recent years. Police raised that their data shows a higher prevalence of knife possession and use among youth, especially in peer related assaults.

Recent legislation changes in NSW were introduced in July 2025, following on from the introduction of ‘Jack’s law’ in Queensland in September 2024. These legislation changes have escalated the seriousness of knife-related offences; possession of a knife is no longer a summary offence for which a fine may be given, it is now an indictable offence which means it can be tried in the District or Supreme Court.

Police highlighted the follow-on effect for schools is a need for an increased vigilance in monitoring, and reporting knife possession to Police. There is also a need to continue educating students about the risks associated with knives, helping students understand the legal and safety risks.

Youth Command Police can also speak to students about knife crime and educate them about these risks.

Doli Incapax

The final presentation was from a Children’s Court Police Prosecutor, regarding the legal doctrine of Doli Incapax. This doctrine is a legal presumption that children aged between 10 and under 14 years of age lack the capacity to understand that their actions are seriously wrong and therefore cannot be held criminally liable unless the prosecution can prove otherwise.

To rebut this presumption, the courts often rely on evidence of a child’s maturity, understanding, and prior behaviour. School records may be subpoenaed and relied on for a police prosecution. As such, it is important that schools maintain clear, factual records of student interactions, especially incidents of a sexual nature, and those involving aggression, dishonesty and rule-breaking, as such documentation may be used as part of a court process.

For example, if a student is suspended for violence at school, ensuring you contemporaneously document your conversations with the student.

Maintaining accurate and timely records also protects schools from complaints that they failed to respond appropriately or take incidents seriously as well as comply with Diocesan and CSMN policies and procedures. Clear documentation of any actions taken, such as incident reports, follow-up conversations, and support referrals, demonstrates procedural fairness and a commitment to student wellbeing. These records can also be important in identifying patterns of behaviour early, allowing schools to connect students with targeted support services before issues escalate.

So, in summary, reaching out to your local Police or Youth Command Police can strengthen these relationships and promote more positive outcomes for our students.

Police provided the below contact details:

• Sergeant David BLOM Lake Mac and Central Coast Sector Supervisor [email protected]
• Senior Constable Elke WATT Youth Engagement Officer east side (Cardiff to Catherine Hill Bay) [email protected]
• Senior Constable Michael RIDGEWAY Youth Engagement Officer east side (Cardiff to Catherine Hill Bay) [email protected]
• Constable Lisa SEILER Youth Engagement Officer east side (Cardiff to Catherine Hill Bay) [email protected]
• Senior Constable Liam HEPPLEWHITE Youth Engagement Officer west side (Edgeworth to Wyee) [email protected]
• Constable Zack HEARN Youth Engagement Officer west side (Edgeworth to Wyee) [email protected]