Police have arrested 70 people as part of a Police Transport Command operation targeting crime and anti-social behaviour around public transport on the weekend.
Operation Colossus was conducted on Friday (3 December 2021) and Saturday (4 December 2021) and was led by PTC North Central with assistance from PTC North West and South West, Dog and Mounted Command, Marine Area Command, Aviation Command and officers from across the Central and North West Metropolitan Regions.
During the two-day operation, 70 people were arrested for a range of offences including possessing prohibited drugs, weapons, goods in custody; and breach of bail.
Officers conducted nearly 243 person searches, issued 219 move-on directions and 372 transport fines, patrolled 429 trains and 115 buses, and inspected 62 licenced premises.
Commander of PTC North Central Superintendent Cath Bradbury said Operation Colossus is an intelligence-led operation led by the Police Transport Command and involves local police and specialist commands.
"The high level of engagement by police involved in this operation has resulted in the disruption of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour in known hot spots across the public transport network."
"Police will continue to work together with local PACs and TfNSW stakeholders to focus on crime and anti-social behaviour in these areas to ensure the community has a safe public transport network," Superintendent Bradbury said.
Incidents of note during the operation include:
About 8pm on Saturday (4 December 2021), police saw two teenage boys running from a convenience store on Wharf Road, Newcastle. Officers stopped one of the boys, a 14-year-old, and allegedly found a knife and e-cigarettes on him during a search. The boy was returned to his home pending further inquiries. Officers attended the convenience store, where they were told two boys allegedly threatened an employee with a knife before stealing e-cigarettes. Police returned to the boy's house and arrested him before taking him to Newcastle Police station, where he was charged with robbery in company. He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Monday 17 January 2022. Inquiries continue.
About 8.25pm on Saturday (4 December 2021), police were patrolling Double Bay when they stopped the driver of a Mazda 3 hatchback on Cooper Street. Police spoke with the male driver and female passenger, both aged 22, before conducting a search of the pair and the vehicle. Inside the car, officers found 19 small plastic sachets containing a white powder and $5750 cash. The items were seized for forensic analysis. The woman and man were charged with supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug. The man was also charged with deal with proceeds of crime. They were issued a court attendance notice to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 3 February 2022.
About 7pm on Friday (3 December 2021), police stopped and searched a 55-year-old man at Newtown Train Station, allegedly locating a hunting knife with a 15cm blade in a backpack. He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with custody of knife in public place. He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday (4 December 2021), where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Newtown Local Court on Thursday 13 January 2021.
