Police have charged more than 350 people following a crackdown on the transport network, targeting violent and sexual offenders.
Operation Waratah was established by the Police Transport Command (PTC) in 2024 to safeguard the community through coordinated, intelligence-led policing, with hundreds of offenders arrested for offences allegedly committed against commuters and transport staff.
The operation involves high-visibility patrols, community engagement and the proactive targeting of alleged offenders across the NSW transport and surrounding precinct including trains, buses, ferries and the new Sydney Metro.
It aims to prevent, disrupt and respond to people engaging in violent activity and committing sexual offences.
To date, more than 1800 people have been arrested with more than 3000 charges laid as part of Operation Waratah.
The planning phase of Operation Waratah 6 commenced in May 2026, with an operational phase of more than 400 officers deployed each day between Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 July 2026 across the public transport network.
Operation Waratah 6 results include,
- 539 trains, 127 buses and 29 light rail trams patrolled
- 645 charges laid
- 28 knives or weapons seized
- 551 people searched
- 323 move-on directions issued
- 137 drug detections made
- 86 bail compliance checks conducted
- 60 people arrested for breaching bail or outstanding warrants, and
- 473 rail infringements issued.
During the operation 350 digital screens across the transport network displayed information about Operation Waratah and invited the public to view images on the NSW Police Force website of people police believed may be able to assist with ongoing investigations into alleged violent and sexual offences.
Police continue to appeal for public assistance to identify the people, with members of public urged to come forward with information.
Incidents of note:
- Shortly before 4pm last (Thursday 9 July 2026), Police Transport Command Campbelltown were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station, on Dumaresq Street, Campbelltown, where they pulled over a vehicle due to an alleged traffic infringement. Police searched a 46-year-old passenger and seized a imitation firearm from a holster allegedly in his possession. When t vehicle was searched, police seized a baton, knife and military-style uniforms, allegedly belonging to the man. He was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station where was charged with possess unregistered firearm – pistol; possess unregistered unauthorised pistol in public place; acquire firearm without licence or permit – pistol; not keep firearm safely – pistol; possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit; and custody of knife in public place. The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court 6 on Friday 10 July 2026, where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear before Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
- About 8pm on Thursday 9 July 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command Proactive Crime Team Sydney South West team, stopped a man on Alcoomie Street, Villawood. The man was searched and police alleged seized cannabis and a knife. He was charged with possess prohibited drug and custody of a knife in public place. He was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.
- About 9.45pm on Thursday 9 July 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command Central stopped a 38-year-old man at Central Railway Station, Sydney. The man was searched and police seized tools including bolt cutters, screwdrivers, tyre puncture and balaclava allegedly in his possession. He was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with possess housebreaking implements. The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court 7 on Friday 10 July 2026 where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 31 July 2026.
- About 5pm on Thursday 9 July 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command Parramatta stopped and searched a 35-year-old man at Merrylands Railway Station. Police seized nunchucks allegedly in his possession. The man was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited weapon. He will appear Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 5 August 2026.
- About 10pm on Thursday (10 July 2026), officers attached to Police Transport Command stopped and searched a 17-year-old boy on Darcy Street, Parramatta, before they located cannabis and methylamphetamine allegedly in his possession. Checks revealed the teen was wanted on an outstanding warrant. He was subsequently taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, and shoplifting (less than or equal to $2000). He was charged with an outstanding warrant on two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon, and robbery in company. Police will allege in court that the boy was involved in three separate armed robberies in Muswellbrook area earlier this month. He was refused bail to appear at Children’s Court on Saturday 11 July 2026.
- About 2.15pm on Saturday 11 July 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command were patrolling Church Street, Parramatta, when they stopped a 25-year-old man. He was searched, and police located and seized two knuckle dusters allegedly belong to the man. He was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit. He was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
- About 9pm on Saturday 11 July 2026, police were patrolling on Surf Lane, Cronulla, when they observed a white utility. A short time later, police stopped the vehicle at the intersection of Cronulla Street and Nicholson Parade and the driver – a 20-year-old man – was spoken to police. The vehicle was searched, and officers seized a knife, a pair of knuckle dusters, cocaine and cannabis allegedly in his possession. The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug (two counts), custody of knife in public place, and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit. He was granted condition bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court, Thursday 6 August 2026.
Anyone with information about offences being committed on the public transport network is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
