Tara Murray
Police were out in force at Watergardens station on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Omni Operation.
Police from the Transit Safety Division and other units conducted the operation at the station and surrounding areas, which is aimed to detect weapons offences and enhance community safety.
Police spoke with more than 300 people and no weapons were located during the operation.
Four people were arrested for a range of offences including possessing drugs and shop theft. Two were released on caution while the other two will be charged on summons.
One driver will be charged on summons for driving while disqualified and allegedly returning a positive oral fluid test. Their vehicle was also impounded for 30 days.
Another driver will be charged on summons after they were allegedly found to be driving while suspended, while 14 penalty notices were issued for separate traffic-related offences.
An Omni operation provides police with additional powers to detect weapon offences within a designated search area. The powers for the Chief Commissioner to declare a planned search area are set out in the Control of Weapons Act.
It’s not the first time police have conducted this operation at Watergardens, with police having had the extra powers in the search area multiple times in the past few years as they continue to focus on community safety.
Transit Safety Division Senior Sergeant Brooke Ayres said the highly visible presence was about boosting safety in and around the Watergardens shopping centre and public transport hubs.
“With no weapons located, that’s a really pleasing sign that our proactive approach is making a difference,” she said.
“We know our presence serves as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders.
“We’ll continue to run targeted operations like this one in a bid to detect and deter offending right across the network.”
