Police target trains

Police will continue to run targeted operations on trains to ensure commuters feel safe.

A number of fines have been issued during an operation targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour on regional trains.

Operation Aurora ran over two days last week with Transit Safety Division officers, local uniform and plain clothes police teaming up with authorised officers to patrol V/Line trains and train stations from Southern Cross Station along the Gippsland rail corridor.

Officers conducted about 300 people checks and issued a number of penalty notices against the Public Transport Safety Act, including failing to hold a valid ticket and failing to produce evidence of concession.

Officers also focused on detecting and deterring commuter anti-social behaviour, crimes against the person, property damage and vehicle crime with patrols at train stations, including Drouin, Morwell and Traralgon

Transit Safety Division acting detective sergeant Luke Swift said police did not tolerate violence or antisocial behaviour in any setting, including public transport networks and transport hubs.

“We regularly run joint operations with V/Line from Melbourne onto regional trains and at regional train stations.

“This operation was aimed at targeting antisocial behaviour and public order issues on the Gippsland rail corridor.

“The community has the right to feel safe so we will continue to run these operations targeting those who do the wrong thing,” he said.