Opinion: Police Did Not Terminate This Pursuit — But Given the Risk, Should They Have?

The tragic death of 20-year-old Bradley Wilder during a police pursuit in Newcastle has sparked an outpouring of grief — and a wave of difficult questions about the role and limits of police chases in our state.

Bradley was remembered by friends as respectful and well-mannered — not the kind of person you’d expect to make national headlines. But when police spotted him riding a motorbike without a number plate through King Street, Hamilton, and he refused to stop when directed, they gave chase. What followed was a high-speed pursuit through suburban streets to Charlestown around 8 to 9km trip. Moments later, Bradley crashed and died at the scene.