Police have charged 24 people and seized a number of weapons after a three-day operation across key areas of the Sydney to Newcastle Railway line last week.
Operation Disrupt was established by the Police Transport Command North/Central to prevent and disrupt criminal activity in key areas of the public transport network.
Between Thursday 30 July 2026 and Saturday 1 August 2026, officers from the Police Transport Command North/Central executed the operation at locations in Newcastle, Hamilton, Gosford, Hornsby and Sydney.
As a result of the operation,
- 24 people were arrested and charged with a total of 27 offences
- 263 people were scanned during four knife scanning declarations
- Eight knives and one offensive implement were seized
- 12 drug detections were made
- Six breaches of bail were detected
Incidents of note include:
- About 2.10pm on Thursday 30 July 2026, officers were patrolling Hornsby Railway Station when they conducted a search of a 26-year-old man, after checks revealed he did not have a valid ticket. During the search, police will allege a knife, spray cans and housebreaking implements were located and seized. The 26-year-old was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for fail to give ticket for inspection on train/station, custody of knife in public place, possess prohibited drug, possess graffiti implement with intent to contravene, and possess housebreaking implements. He will appear before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
- About 2.25pm on Friday 31 July 2026, officers were patrolling Mann Street, Gosford, when they received a report of a brawl nearby. A short time later, police spoke with a 45-year-old man before conducting a search of the man and his belongings, where a knife and a large torch were allegedly located and seized. The 45-year-old man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and have custody of an offensive implement in a public place. He will appear before Gosford Local Court on Thursday 27 August 2026.
- About 9.30pm on Friday 31 July 2026, officers boarded a train at Warrawee Railway Station following reports of a teenager allegedly threatening commuters. Police were told the boy allegedly threatened two teenage girls on a train before moving carriages. Officers arrested a 16-year-old boy before he was taken to Hornsby Police Station and charged with two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday 7 September 2026.
Operation Disrupt will continue.
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