Tuesday18 March 2025 04:42:36 AM
Officers attached to the Police Transport Command commenced Operation Waratah 3 in March 2025 following the success of previous operations.
Operation Waratah 3 ran for four days from Wednesday 12 March to Saturday 15 March 2025and focused on targeting offenders involved in assaults and sexual touching incidents across the transport network including trainsbuses and the Metro.
Police patrolled over 500 trains227 buses16 ferries12 metros and 18 light rail services and searched over 400 people when police located 17 knivesissued almost 200 move on directions and over 400 rail infringements.
During the four-day operation177 people were arrested and charged with 315 offencesincluding robberyassaultsexual touchingmalicious damage drug possession and affray.
As part of the operationpolice are continuing to appeal for information on a number of incidents and have released images of several people who may be able to assist with investigations into 9 incidents.
Arrests of note include:
The incidents under investigation by Operation Waratah 3 include:
Incident C: About 9.25pm on Friday 27 December 2024a 34-year-old man was assaulted at Strathfield Train Station and later reported the matter to police. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident E: About 6.50pm on Tuesday 31 December 2024police were called to Merrylands Train Station following reports of an assault on a train. Police were told a 41-year-old man was assaulted on a train by an unknown man. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident G: About 9.30pm on Wednesday 11 December 2024a report was made to police following an assault on a bus at Randwick. Police were told a 24-year-old woman was burned with a cigarette lighter by a man on a bus. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident H: About 4.10pm on Wednesday 11 December 2024police were called to Martin Place Metro Station following reports of an assault. Police were told a 76-year-old man was assaulted by an unknown man. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident I: About 5.10pm on Monday 24 February 2025police were called to Central Train Station following reports of a stealing. Police were told a man had his prescription glasses stolen by an unknown man. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident K: About 12.20am on Sunday 26 May 2024a report was made to police following reports of an assault at Hurstville Train Station. Police were told a 36-year-old manwho was holding a four-year-old child at the timewas assaulted by an unknown woman. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a woman who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident L: About 2.10pm on Wednesday 28 August 2024a report was made to police following reports of an assault at Fairfield Train Station. Police were told a 15-year-old girl was assaulted by an unknown man. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a woman who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident M: About 3.40pm on Wednesday 17 December 2024police were called to Winnima WayBerkeleyfollowing reports of an assault on a bus. Police were told a 66-year-old bus driver was assaulted by an unknown man following an argument. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Incident N: About 1.30pm on Wednesday 8 January 2025a report was made to police following reports of an assault on a train. Police were told a 13-year-old boy was assaulted on a train by an unknown manbefore he alighted at Engadine Train Station. As inquiries continuepolice have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
