Police storm trains

TRANSIT police unearthed an abundance of antisocial activity after launching Operation Storm on the Springvale to Pakenham train line last week.
The operation targeted antisocial and criminal behaviour on trains and at stations between Springvale and Pakenham, with the Victoria Police Transit Safety Division detecting 29 offences and making 14 between 2 and 4 February.
Transit police also issued 104 penalty notices for behavioural and liquor offences on the train system.
Police said offences ranged from possession of controlled weapons, behaving in a threatening manner and unlawful assault to theft, possessing proceeds of crime, possessing drugs of dependence, exceeding prescribed content of alcohol (0.5), driving while disqualified, warrants of apprehension and other transport offences.
The operation involved both uniformed and plainclothed police and spread from trains to stations and associated car parks.
“Transit police patrol public transport every day, often as part of operations like Storm,” Inspector Shayne Pannell said.
“Operations like this one will continue.
“Commuters can expect to see transit police throughout metropolitan and suburban public transport system at random times.”
Transit police conduct operations such as Storm in conjunction with local police and Connex authorised officers.