Media Release
Operation to Crack down on anti-social behaviour on Buses
A police operation in response to recent incidents on Gold Coast buses will be launched early next week.
Operation Caritas will see uniform and plain clothes police travelling on Gold Coast buses to crack down on anti-social behaviour. The operation will continue until such time as the problem is addressed.
The operation will be jointly conducted by Gold Coast and Coomera police and will see plain clothes officers being supported by uniform police who will trail the bus in a marked or unmarked vehicle.
Largely intelligence based the operation will target the most likely times where anti-social behaviour may occur. However, police will also be deployed on buses during other times.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Hollands said today, “Bus drivers, operators of public transport and the travelling public have a right to feel safe at all times when riding on public transport. The nature of the operation is such that potential trouble makers should be aware that the passenger sitting next to them may well be a police officer in plain clothes.”
The operation will also be supported by the Gold Coast City Council Police Helicopter which will provide aerial support with the helicopters $M1.2 Forward Looking Infrared which can identify potential trouble makers at bus stops without them even being aware of the helicopters presence and a Nightsun that can light up an area the size of football field from 1,000 feet.
Assistant Commissioner Hollands also advised that, “If you are a passenger and see someone being assaulted on the bus to ring the police urgently on 000”.
Non-urgent incidents should be reported to Policelink on 131444 or alternatively in person at the local police station or police beat.
07 3015 2444
