JOINT POLICE AND TRANSPORT OPERATION TARGETING CRIME

The Police Transport Command (PTC) and Transport for NSW are joining forces to target fare evasion and other offences on the public transport network.

Operation Javelin IV is an intelligence-led, joint operation involving the Police Transport Command (PTC) and Transport Officers, focusing on fare evaders at targeted locations in the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong areas.

“There will be a highly-visible presence on trains, buses and ferries, and at major transport hubs,” Minister Gallacher said.

“This joint operation will focus on people who misuse concessions, misuse zone ticketing, produce fake concession products and tickets and bypass ticket gates.

“Plain-clothes and uniformed officers will also target transport offences and anti-social behaviour, with the operation designed to increase customer safety on the public transport network.

“The high visibility enforcement of Police and Transport Officers will not only detect crime but also act as a deterrent for would-be offenders.

“The NSW Liberal & Nationals Government established the Police Transport Command to ensure we have dedicated officers keeping our transport networks safe.

“Since the Police Transport Command started, officers have made 4,220 arrests, laid 7,935 charges and issued 81,913 infringements,” Minister Gallacher said.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said this is another example of police and transport working together in a coordinated response to target those doing the wrong thing.

“Fare evasion is unfair to the majority of customers who pay their way and it costs millions of dollars that could be spent on extra services and new infrastructure,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This operation is part of our Customer First approach to combine police powers with an expanded CCTV network, changes to ticket vending machines to target concession misuse, the roll out of Opal and the work of Transport Officers to tackle fare evasion on the transport network.

NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner John Hartley said this joint initiative will see police and transport officers strategically working together to detect crime on the transport network.

“The everyday commuter who pays to travel and use the service provided to them expects to be able to arrive at their destination safely and without incident.

“By strategically targeting those who think they can ride for free and speaking to a large number of people, we inevitably come across individuals who are breaking the law.

“Police can identify individuals who may be wanted for other offences or using the transport network to commit crime, as well as being able to stop incidents from occurring.

“Police Transport Command will continue to focus on reducing crime on the public transport network and keep the commuting public safe,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Hartley said.