Rail crackdown targets crime and anti-social behaviour

20/04/06

A joint crackdown by police and transit guards is making Perth's rail network safer.

Police Minister John D'Orazio and Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said Operation Trackside was targeting anti-social and criminal behaviour by people travelling on Perth's suburban train system and in and around train stations.

Trackside involved large numbers of police and transit guards, both uniformed and plain-clothed, mounting operations at key trouble spots during high-risk periods.

They talked to known offenders, conducted searches of people and vehicles, responded to CCTV evidence and other intelligence, and assisted people who were on, or near, the station for no good reason, to leave.

Juveniles whose parents could not be contacted were put in the care of the Department of Community Development or other relevant agencies.

Mr D'Orazio said that in the past two weeks police and transit guards had:

• spoken to more than 2,929 people;
• made 39 arrests for assault, disorderly behaviour, stealing and minor robberies and indecent acts, breach of bail or parole;
• charged another 45 by summons for less serious matters;
• issued 172 PTA infringements and cautions (eg fare evasion, smoking or disorderly behaviour); and
• issued 352 traffic related infringements (eg unlicensed and unroadworthy vehicles, no seatbelts and using mobile phones).

"Offenders are realising that there is no place for criminal and anti-social behaviour," the Minister said.

"We know who they are and we are coming to get them.

"Because of this initial success, police will be boosting resources for Trackside."

Ms MacTiernan said Perth's high quality public transport system was vital to many people's social and working lives.

"Operation Trackside is sending a strong message that anti-social behaviour on our trains will not be tolerated," she said.

"Thousands of people, especially many young people, rely on train travel and we are determined that a small number of villains will not spoil it for everyone."

Ms MacTiernan said Operation Trackside was the latest in a long line of rail security initiatives which included:

• on-train cameras which record activities in each carriage;
• CCTV at all Transperth train stations;
• emergency call buttons on all trains and station platforms;
• a Central Monitoring Room (CMR) which co-ordinates emergency responses; and
• improved lighting at all stations.

Mr D'Orazio said the Police Rail Unit, the Public Transport Authority, local police, the WA Police Juvenile Aid Group, Police Mounted Section and Dog Squad, the Department of Community Development, Mission Australia and other agencies were working to make Operation Trackside a lasting success.

He said the current operation would be reviewed in late May.