Multiple teenagers have been charged with a range of alleged offences, including police pursuits, property crime and knife-related matters, as investigations continue.
In Tamworth, two 16-year-old boys were charged following an alleged police pursuit in the city’s south early on Wednesday morning.
Police say officers attached to the Western Region Operations Support Group were patrolling Kent Street, South Tamworth, just after 2am on Wednesday 31 December 2025 when they attempted to stop a Toyota sedan. When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated.
A short time later, the vehicle stopped on Southview Street, West Tamworth, before two occupants allegedly exited the car and ran from the scene. With assistance from officers attached to the Oxley Police District, PolAir and the Dog Unit, the two boys were arrested on Macgregor Street.
Police allege a knife and a mobile phone were seized from one of the boys, which will be sent for forensic examination.
Both boys were taken to Tamworth Police Station. One was charged with a series of offences including drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit not stop drive dangerously, face blackened or disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, commit section 114 offence having previous conviction, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and custody of knife in a public place.
The second boy was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and possess prohibited drug.
They appeared before a children’s court on Wednesday 31 December 2025. The first boy was refused bail and is due to reappear on Tuesday 3 February 2026. The second boy was granted conditional bail to appear on the same date.
Checks allegedly revealed the vehicle had been stolen from East Tamworth on Tuesday 30 December 2025. Inquiries under Operation Soteria continue.
Earlier in the week, police in the New England region charged four younger teenagers following a series of alleged property offences in and around Inverell.
Police allege that between Friday 26 December and Monday 29 December 2025, several incidents occurred across Inverell, including break and enters and malicious damage at commercial premises, as well as thefts from motor vehicles.
Officers attached to the New England Police District commenced an investigation and arrested a 13-year-old boy at an Inverell address about 9am on Monday 29 December. He was charged with enter building or land with intent to commit indictable offence, destroy or damage property less than or equal to $2000, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner, and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday 30 December 2025.
Later that morning, police arrested a second 13-year-old boy at another Inverell address. He was charged with two counts of destroy or damage property less than or equal to $2000, enter vehicle or boat without consent of owner, and enter building or land with intent to commit indictable offence. He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday 29 January 2026.
On Tuesday 30 December, police executed a search warrant at a home on Borthwick Street, Inverell, arresting two boys aged 12 and 14. Police allege items believed to be stolen were seized, along with several knives, including a machete.
The 12-year-old was charged with robbery with offensive weapon, seven counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, and five counts of aggravated break and enter. The 14-year-old was charged with seven counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence and five counts of aggravated break and enter.
Both matters remain before the children’s court, with police investigations ongoing.
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