Evaders have been put on notice by the state’s Northern police Commander.
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Brett Smith sent a strong message to offenders after a stolen ute was allegedly used to ram two police cars in Launceston in the early hours of Tuesday.
People that behave in this manner are a significant risk to the community.
- Tasmania Police Northern Commander Brett Smith
Police allege they tried to pull over the car at Riverside, but the driver failed to stop.
It was then in a Launceston street officers were setting up road spikes when the stolen vehicle allegedly drove at them, causing “significant” damage to the front of the police car.
They say the accused then drove away from the scene and ultimately reversed into another police car, twice, before the driver allegedly continued to reverse, pushing the police vehicle backwards.
Officers “used force", including a baton, to remove the man from the stolen car with police alleging he resisted arrest.
No officers or members of the public were hurt during the incident, but the alleged driver suffered injuries while being arrested.
“I condemn this kind of behaviour in the strongest possible terms and we will to the best of our ability aggressively tackle this type of conduct,” Commander Smith said.
“It puts the community and police at significant risk. Police should not be expected to be subject to this kind of behaviour when they come to work.”
Describing it as “deplorable, disgraceful behaviour”, Commander Smith said police would “not tolerate it”.
Last year, the state government announced a “crackdown” on evasion with about 800 cases of drivers avoiding police in Tasmania each year.
“Changing legislation is just one strategy to hopefully change people’s behaviour,” Commander Smith said.
“Nevertheless, if people are going to choose to conduct themselves in this manner, we will certainly, rigorously, pursue people and put them before the courts.
“People that behave in this manner are a significant risk to the community.”
The man accused of being behind the wheel was Phillip James Standage.
The 30-year-old Ravenswood man appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
He is facing multiple charges including evading, resisting and assaulting police, dangerous driving, motor vehicle stealing, trespass and drug related offences.
Magistrate Simon Brown remanded him in custody to appear again on January 19.
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Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
