Police step up train patrols

BRENDAN CRABB

KIAMA, Lake Illawarra and Wollongong police are working together to make Kiama’s trains as safe as possible.

After several recent incidents of assault on trains on the line, Police Minister David Campbell recently launched an Illawarra-specific operation targeting rail crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Vision South 3 has been introduced to the Local Area Commands of Wollongong.

Lake Illawarra and Shoalhaven, with an aim to establish a highly visible police presence in and around the southern rail network.

Police activities will include patrols of crime “hot spots”, weapons searches, move-along directions to those displaying anti-social behaviour, patrols of trains, stations and bus and rail interchanges, rail lines and taxi ranks, and emergency response and investigation.

“Police and transit officers will use the security camera network around train stations and on platforms to prevent crime and respond quickly when it occurs,” Mr Campbell said.

Kiama’s Sergeant David Wheatley said Kiama police officers had been patrolling trains in such a manner since the beginning of March, before Vision 3 was extended to Bomaderry.

“We’ve put a presence on the rail between Kiama and Minnamurra at least twice a day,” he said.

“Since early March we’ve noticed a reduction in the breaking and enterings and malicious damages around the area.”

Sgt Wheatley also said Kiama police had established a strong rapport with station attendants, who had been able to assist them in identifying troublesome individuals or times of the day when problems were most common.

Sergeant for the Lake Illawarra Local Area Command, John Klepczarek, said the number of officers present at stations in the Kiama area had also increased.

He said the increased volume of officers and number of patrols along the South Coast line – and in particular the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra areas – had made train travel safer for those in the Kiama region.

“It’s part of an area wide command … any officer who is available during the day gets tasked to a station,” he said.

“Stations in the Kiama area are now safer: the area has controlled such problems well, but thanks to the increased police presence it’s now even better.

“The people of Kiama should rest assured that the local police regularly patrol trains and stations.”