NSW Police have returned en masse to the public transport system, and have again issued hundreds of infringements in just four-and-a-half hours’ work.
Officers from the Police Transport Command (PTC) and Sydney Trains were deployed to transport hubs as part of an operation to combat fare-evasion and improve community safety on public transport on Thursday, August 20.
Thursday’s operation was conducted between 10am to 2.30pm, with 125 NSW Police Officers and 67 Sydney Trains Transport Officers deployed at train stations across Sydney.
In total 209 trains, 164 train stations, and 26 buses were patrolled.
Police Transport Officers issued 292 infringement notices, and Sydney Trains Officers issued 228 infringements, for a range of transport offences.
87 people were moved on for anti-social behaviour.
Two people were arrested and charged.
About 12.50pm, a 24-year-old man was arrested at Dulwich Hill Station. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a cheque book and identification that did not belong to him and charged with goods in custody, police said.
About 2pm, a 24-year-old woman was arrested at Campbelltown Station. She was found to be in possession of drugs believed to be cannabis and prescription medication. She was charged with possess prohibited drug (x2).
The crack-down was part of Operation Avoidance, a high-visibility operation targeting fare evasion and anti-social behaviour.
In June, another four-hour Operation Avoidance crackdown resulted in the arrest of 11 people, who were charged with 14 alleged offences, including drug supply and possession, and possessing weapons. The June activity resulted in a total of 414 rail infringement notices.