Transport police are appealing to the public for information about 15 separate incidents in which commuters have been assaulted, touched inappropriately or intimidated on public transport across Sydney under Operation Waratah.
Operation Waratah was established in July 2024 by officers attached to Police Transport Command to target offenders involved in violent crimes including assaulting elderly passengers, intimidating public transport workers or touching women without consent.
Superintendent Andrew Evans, Commander of Police Transport Command North West Sector said these crimes have left victims with serious physical and emotional injuries.
"These offenders are targeting some of our most vulnerable passengers thinking that they can get away with it. Operation Waratah is here to prove they cannot.
"The physical and emotional damage these offenders inflict on members of the public is criminal." Supt Evans said.
"The goal of Operation Waratah is to find these offenders and charge them in order to make their victims feel safe again using Sydney's extensive public transport."
As part of the operation, police have released images of multiple people who may be able to assist with investigations into 15 the violent incidents.
Incidents under investigation by Operation Waratah include:
- Incident A On Thursday 1 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command received a report that an unknown man allegedly exposed himself inappropriately on a train between Townhall Railway Station and Rhodes Railway Station between 11.15pm and 11.20pm. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident B On Monday 11 March 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command received a report that an unknown man and woman had allegedly assaulted a man at about 5.10pm at Bondi Junction Railway Station. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man and woman who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident C On Sunday 10 December 2023, officers attached to Police Transport Command received a report that an unknown man had allegedly assaulted three people at about 5.25pm at the Light Rail stop on Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident D On Tuesday 14 November 2023, officers attached to Police Transport Command received a report that an unknown man had allegedly assaulted multiple people at about 7.50pm at St Leonards Railway Station. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident E On Thursday 22 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command received a report that an unknown man had allegedly assaulted multiple people at about 5.30pm at Wyong Railway Station. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident F About 8.30pm on Saturday 17 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Kingswood Railway Station following reports of an assault. On arrival police were told a man had allegedly smashed a glass bottle over a teen's head before assaulting multiple people on a carriage as the train passed by Werrington Railway Station. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident G About 6.25am on Saturday 29 July 2023, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Pendle Hill Railway Station following reports a man had assaulted multiple people. Police arrived and were told the man allegedly assaulted several ticket inspectors before threatening them with a hammer. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident H About 5.45pm on Tuesday 9 January 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Winston Hill, following reports an unknown man had assaulted a bus driver. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly punched the driver in the face while the vehicle was moving before fleeing the bus. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident I About 12am on Tuesday 6 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Westmead Railway Station, following reports a man had touched a woman in an inappropriate manner. Police arrived and were told the man touched a woman's foot and back without consent before rubbing himself against her. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident J About 1.30am on Friday 6 January 2024, officers attached Police Transport Command were called to Strathfield Railway Station, following reports a man had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly been racial threats towards a man before assaulting him multiple times on a train between Ashfield Railway Station and Strathfield Railway Station. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident K About 8pm on Thursday 14 December 2023, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Kiora Road, Miranda, following reports a bus driver had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly punched a bus driver in the back of the head while the driver was inspecting his vehicle. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident L About 5.50pm on Tuesday 20 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Revesby Railway Station following reports a woman had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly pushed a woman out of a lift before kicking and hitting her in the face. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident M About 2.20pm on Friday 28 July 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Fairfield Railway Station, following reports a man had assaulted a woman. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly shoved a woman towards the railway tracks before pulling her hair and punching her in the face. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident N About 10am on Monday 29 January 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Wonga Road, Lurnea, following reports a man had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had punched another man several time in the head while on a bus travelling on Wonga Road, Lurnea. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
- Incident O About 6.15pm on Tuesday 16 January 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Edmonson Park Railway Station, following reports a woman had been touched inappropriately. Police arrived and were told a man had groped a woman in a sexual manner. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Investigations under Operation Waratah continue.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
