Officers from the Police Transport Command have arrested 86 people as part of the largest police crackdown on crime across Sydney’s public transport network since stay-at-home orders were lifted.
Operation Colossus was conducted on Friday (22 October 2021) and Saturday (23 October 2021), targeting anti-social behaviour, violence, and the possession of weapons on public transport – including ferries, buses, and trains – to keep commuters safe as they return to travelling freely throughout Sydney.
PTC North West led the high-visibility operation, with assistance from PTC North Central and South West sectors, the Dog and Mounted Command, Marine Area Command, Aviation Command and officers from across the Central, North West and South West Metropolitan Regions.
During the operation, 86 people were arrested for a range of offences including assault, possess prohibited drug, possess prohibited weapon, deal with proceeds of crime and robbery.
Officers also issued more than 430 infringement notices, conducted nearly 410 person searches, issued 310 move-on directions and seized 18 prohibited weapons – including knives.
Incidents of note during the operation include:
- About 3.10pm on Friday (22 October 2021), police conducting ticket checks at Cabramatta Railway Station stopped and spoke with a 53-year-old Panania man. The man was unable to provide a valid concession card and in a subsequent search of his backpack, officers located a flick knife. The man was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with fail to produce evidence of concession entitlement and custody of knife in public place. He was also charged with attempt stalk/intimidate intend fear of harm, in relation to an alleged domestic-related incident that occurred earlier this month. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Friday 29 October 2021.
- About 3.20pm on Friday (22 October 2021), officers conducting proactive patrols of the Parramatta area attempted to speak with two men on Arthur Street, near George Street. One of the men ran from the scene, hiding a bag underneath a nearby parked car. The pair – aged 32 and 41 – were stopped and the bag retrieved, with officers locating $21,600 cash and prescription medication. The younger man was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for drive motor vehicle during disqualification period. He is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 24 November 2021. The older man was taken to Westmead Hospital, before being released and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 8 December 2021.
- About 4.10pm yesterday (Saturday 23 October 2021), police conducting proactive patrols of the Guildford area stopped a ride share vehicle at Robertson Street. Officers spoke with the rear passenger – a 40-year-old man – and in a subsequent search of his belongings located methylamphetamine (ice), an amount of GBL (gamma-Butyrolactone) and more than $5400 cash. The passenger was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. A short time later, police executed a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home at West Rude. During the search, officers located an automatic pistol under a mattress, as well as ammunition and firearm parts. All items were seized for further examination. The man was charge with nine offences including; acquire pistol –subject to firearms prohibition order, not keep firearm safely – pistol, possess unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, acquire pistol part – subject to prohibition order, acquire ammunition – subject to prohibition order, firearm found at premises – subject to prohibition order, deal with property proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 24 October 2021).
- About 8.30pm yesterday (Saturday 23 October 2021), officers stopped the driver of a Mitsubishi Lancer at Boomerang Place, Cambridge Gardens, for the purpose of a random breath test. In a subsequent search of the vehicle, police seized 20 packages of edible cannabis lollies. The driver – a 30-year-old woman – was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for supply prohibited drug. She is due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
North West Police Transport Commander, Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald, said Operation Colossus was developed to target anti-social behaviour on and around the Sydney transport networks.
“As more people resume travel on public transport and move freely throughout Greater Sydney, our priority is keeping commuters safe and we want all travelers to know that police are here to help,” Supt Fitzgerald said.
“During the two-day operation, the majority of commuters were kind and considerate toward one another and police.
“Unfortunately, there were a small minority of individuals who put themselves and others at risk with unlawful behaviour and they have been dealt with accordingly.
“We have sent them a strong message that our officers will continue to patrol the public transport network and won’t tolerate anti-social and criminal behaviour,” Supt Fitzgerald said.
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. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
