Police have saturated Batemans Bay in a four-day deployment to target regional crime.
The State Crime Command’s ‘Operation Surge’, saw over 60 additional police in Batemans Bay for a multi-faceted operation led by the Raptor Squad, between Monday and Thursday.
During that time, police have charged 34 people, seized eight firearms, and executed 17 Firearm Prohibition Order compliance checks.
There’s been no shortage of incidents in need of extra police in the region this week. In one incident, South Coast police were called to a service station on Beach Road in Batehaven, after reports of an assault.
Officers were told two women – known to each other – were involved in an altercation at the servo just after 9:15am on Wednesday, before members of the public intervened.
Both women left prior to police arrival.
About 5pm, police attended Moruya Hospital and spoke to a 36-year-old woman being treated.
She had reportedly been tackled to the ground, causing her head to strike a motorcycle.
Police are investigating the incident.
In another incident seperate to Operation Surge, a body was found in Batemans Bay about 10.30am on Wednesday (March 20).
South Coast Police were called to George Bass Drive, Lilli Pilli, 10kms south-east of Batemans Bay, to reports a body had been located in bushes by a passerby.
Officers responded and established a crime scene.
While the investigation is ongoing, police told East Coast Radio it’s not believed to be suspicious.
Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
It was the second death in two days for the coastal region, after a woman in her 40’s drowned at Pebbly Beach, in Durras North, around 30kms north of Batemans Bay on Tuesday (March 19).
The circumstances surrounding the drowning have since been clarified by police.
The 43-year-old who has been confirmed as a nurse who worked at Wollongong Hospital, was pulled from the water unconscious at Pebbly Beach, south of Ulladulla early Tuesday afternoon.
Police say two surfers dragged the woman onto their boards and tried to resuscitate her before the rescue helicopter and ambulance arrived but she died at the scene.
Surf Life Saving NSW at the time reported the woman had entered the water to assist a teenage girl who was having difficulty in the surf.
Police have since confirmed – there was no child involved.
CEO of Surf LifeSaving NSW, Steven Pearce, said it was an honest miscommunication.
“It’s really horrible to sometimes get these facts incorrect,” Mr Pearce said.
“The location of Pebbly Beach, being such a remote location, there was a mix up in communication among various agencies and now we know the correct details, all of that has been corrected now.”
The woman’s death is the 40th coastal drowning in NSW since 1 July 2023.
Mr Pearce said it highlights the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
“Another tragic drowning,” Mr Pearce said.
“Even though that part of the coast is such a beautiful area, they are unpatrolled beaches, and where they are no lifesavers or lifeguards on duty, essentially there is no one to come to your aid if you get into trouble immediately,” he said.
“Even though we’re into Autumn, it’s still vitally important that if you’re going to head down the beach for a swim, please try and find a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags.
“And if you see anyone in trouble on the coast, please call triple zero (000) immediately.”
For more beach safety tips click HERE.
Images: NSW Police, East Coast Radio
