The Police Transport Command is continuing to target assault and weapons offences across the greater Sydney public transport network, as more than 90 people were arrested during Operation Colossus.
Operation Colossus, targeting anti-social behaviour, violence, and the possession of weapons on public transport, commenced on Thursday (10 September 2020) and concluded on Friday (11 September 2020).
The high-visibility operation saw officers the Police Transport Command, the Aviation Command, the Dog and Mounted Command, the Marine Area Command, and local police deployed across the greater Sydney public transport network.
During the operation, 99 people were arrested for a wide range of offences, including assault, assaulting police, supply prohibited drugs, knife offences, and outstanding warrants. Officers also issued 418 infringement notices.
Incidents of note during the operation include;
- About 4.15pm on Thursday (10 September 2020), officers were called to Mt Druitt Railway Station, following reports of an alleged affray and stabbing. Following a short foot pursuit, a 15-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with affray and reckless wounding. He was refused bail and appeared before a children's court on Friday (11 September 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on Friday 23 October 2020.
- Just before 7pm on Thursday, officers were patrolling Albert Crescent, Burwood, when they spoke with a 35-year-old man. Subsequent checks revealed the man had allegedly been involved in the supply of methylamphetamine across Sydney. He was arrested and taken to Burwood Police Station, where he was charged with supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug and goods in custody suspected of being stolen. A short time later, a search warrant was executed at a hotel in Liverpool Street, Sydney, where officers located methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The Croydon man was refused bail and appeared before Burwood Local Court on Friday (11 September 2020), where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday 11 November 2020.
- About 10pm on Thursday, officers patrolling near Mt Druitt Railway Station located a 23-year-old man allegedly in breach of his bail. He was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he allegedly assaulted police. He was charged with assault police and breach of bail. The man was refused bail and appeared before Mt Druitt Local Court on Friday (11 September 2020).
- About 2.30pm on Friday (11 September 2020), officers were patrolling on Wainwright Lane, Kingswood, when they stopped and spoke with a 44-year-old man. During a search of the man, officers located and seized 19 satchels of methylamphetamine, a knife and $395 cash. The man was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, deal with proceeds of crime, goods in custody suspected of being stolen and possession of a knife in a public place. He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Saturday 12 September 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday 8 October 2020.
- About 5.40pm on Friday, police will allege in court that a 35-year-old man was supplying prohibited drugs on Railway Terrace, near Smythe Street, at Merrylands. During a search of the man, police seized nine resealable plastic bags containing opium, and $120 cash. He was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drugs, knowingly take part in supply of prohibited drugs, and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Saturday 12 September 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday 30 September 2020.
Police Transport and Public Safety Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke, praised the work of officers during the operation.
"It is disappointing to see that there are people who continue put other commuters at risk with their selfish behaviour," A/Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
"Our officers will continue to patrol to target and disrupt criminal activity wherever it may occur and take the appropriate action.
"We are also keen to engage with the community – we want people to feel safe and know that we are there to help."
Anyone with information about anti-social behaviour on public transport is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
