NSW Transport Police are investigating 15 serious alleged crimes on Sydney train lines over the past year that have left commuters with “physical and emotional damage”.
The incidents being investigated include alleged physical assaults, sexual crimes, racial threats and one instance where a woman was allegedly pushed towards the railway tracks.
Police have released images of people they are looking to speak to in regard to the incidents.
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In one alleged instance, a man (pictured in image G) allegedly assaulted several ticket inspectors before threatening them with a hammer at Pendle Hill Railway Station at 6.25am on July 29, 2023.
In another separate incident at Kingswood Railway Station on February 17, 2024, a man (pictured in image F) allegedly smashed a glass bottle over a teenager’s head, before assaulting several people on a train carriage.
At 2.20pm on July 28, 2024, a man (pictured in omage M) allegedly pushed a woman towards the railway tracks, before pulling her hair and punching her in the face.
Another alleged incident happened at Westmead Railway Station, where a man (pictured in image I) allegedly inappropriately touched a woman’s back and foot, before rubbing himself against her at 12am on February 6, 2024.
In an unrelated incident exactly one month earlier, a man (image J) allegedly hurled racially charged threats towards another passenger, before assaulting him multiple times on a train between Ashfield Railway Station and Strathfield Railway Station at 1.30am.
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There were 10 other alleged incidents of similar nature also being investigated by Transport Police.
Commander of Police Transport Command Superintendent Andrew Evans said the victims were left 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.
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