Police hail tracker after man jailed

ONE of the first people in Tasmania to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device is in custody after breaching the conditions of a family violence order.

Tasmania Police said the 19-year-old Sorell man was identified as a high-risk family violence offender and had been fitted with one of the GPS anklets by order of the Hobart Magistrates Court.

But the man was arrested on Thursday and charged with failing to charge the device, failing to remain contactable with Tasmania Police via telephone at all times, failing to comply with all reasonable and lawful directions given to him by a police officer in relation to electronic monitoring equipment and approaching within 500m of the person to be protected.

He was remanded in custody after appearing in court on Monday.

Senior Sergeant Penelope Reardon said the trial of the devices was proving effective.

“The fitting of the electronic monitoring device assisted police to readily locate the high-risk family violence perpetrator and has afforded greater protection for a victim of family violence,” she said.

“The arrest and detention of the perpetrator is evidence of the dedication of Tasmania Police to reduce family violence and the effectiveness of electronic monitoring of highrisk family violence perpetrators.”

Some Tasmanian domestic violence perpetrators are being tagged and monitored as part of a $2.5 million national trial to help reduce offending and increase victim safety.

The new electronic anklets — to be worn by high-risk offenders — are tracked by GPS.

Police and victims are notified immediately if an offender moves into a prohibited area.