Almost 100 people have been arrested during a two-day proactive police operation, targeting anti-social behaviour and weapons offences across Sydney’s public transport network.
Operation Colossus saw officers from the Police Transport Command, the Aviation Command, the Dog and Mounted Command, the Marine Area Command and local police deployed across the public transport network between Thursday (27 August 2020) and Friday (28 August 2020).
During the high visibility operation, officers arrested 97 people for a wide range of offences including affray, knife and prohibited weapon offences, possess prohibited drugs, malicious damage, outstanding warrants, and breaches of bail.
In total, police conducted 393 searches resulting in 16 detections of prohibited weapons and 38 drug detections. Officers also issued 221 infringement notices and moved-on 331 people.
Incidents of note during Operation Colossus include:
• While patrolling at Sunshine Park, police noticed a suspicious vehicle and stopped it on Fishery Point Road, Mirrabooka, just after midday on Thursday, and spoke with the 32-year-old male driver. During a subsequent search of the man and his vehicle, officers seized six cutting implements, including a 38cm tomahawk, a 10cm folding knife, a 7cm pocketknife, a 7cm multi-tool knife, a 7cm multi-tool tomahawk and box-cutter blades. The Morisset man was subsequently issued a Court Attendance Notice for custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence. He is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday 13 October 2020.
• Two men were charged over allegedly vandalising railway stations between Sydney and Maitland between December 2019 and June 2020. The men, aged 20 and 18, were arrested at Wyong Police Station about 12.30pm on Thursday. The 20-year-old man was charged with 21 offences, including malicious damage and trespassing. The 18-year-old man was charged with 28 offences, including trespassing, malicious damage, and goods in custody suspected of being stolen. Both men were granted strict conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 30 September 2020.
• About 7.20pm on Thursday, officers were patrolling Campsie Railway Station when they noticed a man allegedly jump a ticket barrier. After stopping the 19-year-old-man, police allege he became aggressive. While attempting to restraint him, a male constable suffered an injury to his arm. The 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with resist police officer in the execution of duty and enter a restricted area without processing a ticket. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 15 September 2020. The officer was taken to Bankstown Hospital and will require surgery to his hand.
• Officers patrolling Cabramatta CBD stopped and spoke with a man and woman on John Street about 7.30pm on Thursday. Police conducted checks before searching the pair and located 27 keys in the woman’s bag – with only two belonging to her. The 30-year-old woman was charged with possess housebreaking implements and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. She was refused bail and appeared at Liverpool Local Court, where she was granted bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 2 September 2020.
• A 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged after allegedly assaulting two other teenagers and stealing property at Fairfield Railway Station on Thursday 27 August 2020. He was refused bail and will next appear at a children’s court on Friday 9 October 2020.
• About 1pm yesterday (Friday 28 August 2020), police responded following reports a man was in the rail corridor near Coniston Railway Station. A short time later, the man was located near the Springhill Road overpass and subjected to a search, with officers locating two cans of spray paint and a pair of gloves. The 22-year-old Mount Warrigal man was charged with possess graffiti implement with intent and go onto or into or remain on or in running lines. He has been granted strict conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 13 October 2020.
• Police stopped a man at Fairfield Railway Station about 4.30pm yesterday, who they believed was wanted. After checks revealed the 37-year-old man had an outstanding conviction warrant for a drug offence, he was arrested. During a subsequent search, police seized 30 buprenorphine strips and ice. The man was charged with the outstanding warrant, supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court yesterday (Saturday 29 August 2020).
• About 6.45pm on Friday, police patrolling the King Street Wharf precinct saw a man get into a BMW on Lime Street, which drove around the block and the man got out again. Police stopped the vehicle a short distance away and spoke with the male driver, however, nothing adverse was located. Meanwhile, officers approached the man and while they were talking to him, he allegedly attempted to run away before resisting officers and a short struggle ensued. The man was arrested and during a subsequent search, police located and seized cocaine. The 27-year-old Balgowlah Heights man was charged with possess prohibited drug and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 9 September 2020.
Police Transport and Public Safety Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke, said the command will continue to undertake these operations going forward.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in NSW, whether you’re using public transport and travelling by bus, train or ferry – you deserve to feel safe,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
“Our officers should be able to carry out their duties without being assaulted. The kind of behaviour is not tolerated by us or commuters trying to get to and from their destination.
“Our officers regularly patrol these areas to take action against those who put the community’s safety at risk; however, we do continue to call on commuters to be our eyes and ears.
“If you see any anti-social behaviour or anything suspicious, we urge people to come forward and contact police so we can take the appropriate action,” Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour on the public transport network is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
