A popular crime-reporting Facebook page in Albury-Wodonga has been shut down after its founder claimed she was harassed by police for posting details of a stabbing, as authorities struggle to control the flow of information about sensitive cases on social media.
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The founder of the “Albury/Wodonga crime whinge and whine” page, who wished to remain anonymous, said she came under police scrutiny for releasing information about the murder of a 35-year-old man in Lavington’s Webb Street back in November.
Several neighbours of the victim informed the “whinge and whine” page about the incident before details had been officially released by Albury police.
The Webb Street residents were then spoken to by officers.
And the Facebook page’s founder said she had also been called into the Olive Street station in mid-December to be told she could be charged with obstruction of justice for posting online, throwing into question the legality of publishing anecdotal information on Facebook.
“I used to pass on information either via phone or via the Crime Stoppers website,” the founder said. “You would think the local police would be grateful.
“They're treating witnesses like criminals if they posted on Facebook. Why aren't they focused on getting the maximum sentence for the actual criminal who did this rather than focusing on who knew what first on Facebook? It’s bloody ridiculous.”
But a spokeswoman for NSW Police said inaccurate or unverified social media posts about crime had the potential to create unnecessary fear, hamper an investigation or jeopardise court processes.
“Police sought assistance from a member of the public regarding sensitive and also inaccurate information posted online relating to an ongoing murder investigation,” she said.
“Police were acting in the community interest to solve that crime and reduce unnecessary distress impacting the victim's family.”
Adam Jay Azzi, 43, was later arrested and charged in relation to the fatal stabbing of Lloyd Frederick Kennedy.
He was charged with murder and the attempted murder of a second man, possession of .86 grams of methamphetamine, knife possession and contravention of an order.
Police said people should be mindful before they post that it may have impact on a police investigation.