Police Transport Command officers will be deployed en-mass to transport hubs to combat crime and improve community safety on public transport.
Operation Colossus involves officers targeting areas identified as hotspots for criminal or anti-social behaviour, from Sydney to Newcastle and Wollongong.
Trains, buses and ferries are all targeted.
‘‘Officers will be a highly-visible presence and can be deployed at short notice to combat particular crime, or a community issue,’’ a police spokesman said.
‘‘The operation will focus on crime reduction and community engagement, and complement the ongoing work and operations of Police Transport in making travel safer for all commuters.’’
On August 20, Operation Colossus targets transport hubs in western Sydney.
Police Transport Commander Max Mitchell said Operation Colossus would complement the command’s existing work.
‘‘By targeting broader transport hubs en-mass, we aim to identify those doing the wrong thing and take action before they have a chance to evade police or their actions affect the public,’’ Mr Mitchell said.
‘‘With additional staff now part of our command, and with more to come, the commuting public can expect to see more of this style of mass-deployment operations.’’
Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres said Colossus would benefit the wider community as well.
‘‘The Police Transport Command already do a superb job combating crime and ensuring those who travel on public transport can do so safely,’’ Mr Ayres said.
‘‘Operation Colossus will see a high-visibility, targeted approach.’’
