newy.com.au – Twenty-four people have been charged and eight knives seized during a three-day police crackdown on the Sydney to Newcastle Line.
Police Transport Command North/Central officers carried out Operation Disrupt in Newcastle, Hamilton, Gosford, Hornsby and Sydney from Thursday, 30 July, to Saturday, 1 August.
The operation targeted criminal activity across key areas of the public transport network. Police charged 24 people with a total of 27 offences, while 263 people were scanned during four knife-scanning declarations.
Officers seized eight knives and one offensive implement, made 12 drug detections and identified six alleged breaches of bail.
At Hornsby Railway Station about 2.10pm on Thursday, officers searched a 26-year-old man after checks revealed he did not have a valid ticket. Police allege they found a knife, spray cans and housebreaking implements.
The man was issued a court attendance notice for five offences, including having custody of a knife in a public place, possessing a prohibited drug and possessing housebreaking implements. He is due to appear in Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday, 9 September.
Police were called to a reported brawl near Mann Street, Gosford, about 2.25pm on Friday. Officers later spoke with a 45-year-old man and allegedly found a knife and large torch while searching him and his belongings.
He was issued a court attendance notice for possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit and having custody of an offensive implement in a public place. He is due to appear in Gosford Local Court on Thursday, 27 August.
Later that night, officers boarded a train at Warrawee Railway Station following reports that a teenager had allegedly threatened commuters. Police were told the 16-year-old boy threatened two teenage girls before moving to another carriage.
The boy was arrested and taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical harm. He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Monday, 7 September.
Police said Operation Disrupt would continue.
