Man charged after alleged knife incident at Horseshoe Beach

A 40-year-old man has been charged following an incident at Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle where two men were allegedly threatened with a knife. The confrontation occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 12, after two members of the Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) had finished water-based training.

Police from the Newcastle City Police District responded to reports of an armed man in a car park. Officers arrested a man from Bar Beach nearby, who was found to have an outstanding warrant. He has since been charged with stalking or intimidation, custody of a knife in a public place, failing to appear in accordance with a bail acknowledgment, and being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The Cooks Hill SLSC has called for urgent safety actions from the City of Newcastle and NSW Police, including a safety assessment of the precinct, increased policing, and improved management of unauthorized camping. Club president Michael Clancy stated that while the club acknowledges the complexities of homelessness, the safety of the community and children using the beach must be prioritized.