The Police Transport and Public Safety Command (PTC) charged 37 people and seized eight knives during a proactive two-day operation to disrupt and prevent crime across the public transport network.
Operation PTC Disrupt was conducted on Friday 15 October and Saturday 16 October 2021 and saw over 200 officers deployed across all three PTC commands – North/Central, South West, and North West – during the two days.
The intelligence-driven operation targeted violent crimes, knife and weapon offences, and anti-social behaviour, both on public transport and at transport hubs.
During the operation, 37 people were arrested and charged, 289 infringements issued, and 159 move-on directions given.
Officers also seized eight knives, an electronic stun device and prohibited drugs including cocaine, methylamphetamine, cannabis and gamma butyrolactone (GBL).
Incidents of note include:
– About 1.40pm on Friday (15 October 2021), a man boarded a city-bound train at Kogarah Railway Station. Shortly after, the man allegedly became aggressive towards two male passengers before allegedly threatening them with a knife he removed from his backpack. The two passengers identified themselves as off-duty police officers and instructed the man to not approach them further. Just before 2pm, the train arrived at Central Railway Station and officers attached to PTC North Central were notified and arrested the 35-year-old man. During a search of the man, police located the knife, prohibited drugs, identity documents, mobile phones and keys. The man was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with wield knife in a public place, possess prohibited drug, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle). The Ingleburn man was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Saturday 16 October 2021) where he was formally refused bail to appear in Central Local Court on Tuesday 19 October 2021.
– About 2.30pm on Saturday (16 October 2021), officers attached to PTC Central attended Central Railway Station after reports a man was unresponsive. While assisting the 26-year-old man, police located a bottle containing 4mL of GBL. Following subsequent inquiries, officers attached to PTC North/Central stopped and searched a man on Foveaux Street, Surry Hills about 6pm, locating $7135 cash inside a bag, as well as multiple gift cards. The 48-year-old man was arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station. A search warrant was executed at a home on Bourke Street about 9pm, where police seized various prohibited drugs and drug paraphernalia including methylamphetamine, gamma butyrolactone and cash. The man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. Police will allege in court that the older man supplied drugs to the younger man earlier that day. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Sunday 17 October 2021).
– About 9pm on Saturday, officers attached to PTC North West stopped a Mercedes Benz on Kay Street, Guildford. While police were speaking with the driver, another man approached the vehicle and told police he was a friend. During a search of the man, police located an electronic stun device, methylamphetamine and prescription medication. The 33-year-old Guilford man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess prohibited drug, and possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 1 December 2021.
