By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A recent police operation conducted at Knox City Shopping Centre’s bus bays saw transit police and protective service officers (PSOs) ride various bus routes in the area – with a police vehicle following behind – to bolster public safety.
During Operation Ride, transit police arrested six people, targeting anti-social behaviour on the bus network in Melbourne’s east.
The recent operation was conducted in various areas including Boronia Train Station and Lilydale Train Station, with this the second police presence over the school holiday period at Knox City.
The operation at Knox City was held on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 April from 3pm onwards – with police highly visible to detect and deter crime on the network and enhance public safety.
Some of the arrests included a 48-year-old male from Dandenong for outstanding assault matters and the other was a 16-year-old boy for burglary.
Police also worked with Authorised Officers to detect fare evaders.
Transit Safety Division Acting Sergeant Kelly Dinnan said the focus was to ensure people were not only safe but felt safe wherever and whenever they used public transport.
“This operation saw Transit police officers and PSOs tasked to the east – riding various bus routes to detect and deter anti-social behaviour on-board the bus network and reassure the community,” she said.
“We also had PSOs patrolling nearby train stations and involved our public transport partners to ensure the safety of commuters.”
PSOs patrol all 216 metropolitan trains stations and four regional hubs from 6pm until the last train each night with extra patrols on weekends.
