Transport police are helping local officers tackle crime on public transport and they were at Wauchope train station on Friday June 23 to do just that.
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Until Sunday June 25, transport police will carry out intelligence-based work with the Mid North Coast Local Area Command.
They will target anti-social behaviour and transport-related offences on the express passenger trains between Sydney and Brisbane and on northern lines.
Police Transport Command officers will travel on the trains, supported by officers in vehicles.
We have a big elderly population who use the trains. We want to ensure their safety, and make sure they want to use the network.
- Supt Paul Fehon
Detective Superintendent Paul Devaney said the aim of the deployment is to ensure that public transport passengers travel in a safe environment.
“This deployment provides a great opportunity to interact with the commuting public who are our eyes and ears on the transport network,” he said.
The Police Transport Command has responsibility for the entire transport network including trains and buses in regional areas. PTC officers can be deployed anywhere in the State to help local area commands with major incidents should the need arise.
Police Transport Command officers also wear cameras. Detective Superintendent Devaney said they can record encounters with people which may be useful later.
“The evidence is fantastic for court. To have that video recording from the time is of great benefit to the police,” he said.
Dean Betts, Principal Manager of Security on NSW Trainlink said prevention is better than cure.
“Proactive interaction before any crime occurs is what we need to aim for,” he said.
Mid North Coast police chief, Superintendent Paul Fehon said the support of transport police was very useful to the Local Area Command.
“We have a big elderly population who use the trains. We want to ensure their safety, and make sure they want to use the network.”
Passenger Trudy Hodge from Port Macquarie said a police presence on trains has an impact.
“They should be all over the place. It’s great that they’re here. That visual presence not only deters people but gives people a sense of safety on the trains,” she said.
“The way things are at the moment, it’s fantastic to see them here. I’m totally supportive,” added Ms Hodge.