NSW Police Transport Command and officers from Albury and Wagga Wagga Local Area Commands are conducting a three-day cross-border crackdown with Victoria Police on public transport.

Operation Southern Aurora started today (Thursday 17 December 2015) and will run until Saturday 19 December 2015.

As part of the operation, police will patrol interstate XPT trains from Sydney to Melbourne and Canberra Xplorer services between Campbelltown and Queanbeyan, and V/Line services to Melbourne.

NSW Police Transport Command’s Superintendent Dave Roptell said police are targeting crime and anti-social behaviour on public transport, not just in the metropolitan areas but also on rural networks.

“Police will not tolerate crime, property damage, anti-social behaviour or drug and alcohol use on our public transport networks and will be issuing penalty notices to anyone caught doing the wrong thing.”

“The support from Local Area Commands within Southern Region to assist with this operation ensures travellers on the rural transport network experience a safe and clean environment,” Supt Roptell said.

A drug dog operation will be conducted at Wagga Wagga Railway Station today (Thursday 17 December 2015).

Officers will be at Albury Railway Station conducting the same operation, with assistance from Victoria Police Transit Safety Bureau tomorrow (Friday 18 December 2015).

“NSW Police will be joined by our Victorian counterparts in Albury to patrol trains together,” Supt Roptell said.

“This dual-state operation will ensure an effective and coordinated use of resources.”