Days after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declared "zero tolerance" against attacks on students including Indians, Victorian police has announced its latest initiative to mount stronger patrolling around train stations to curb any crime.
A 'Safe Station operation' has been put into motion across Melbourne covering train stations to maintain police presence to check hate crimes.
The move sends a strong message to offenders that such attacks will not be tolerated. Victorian police said it made some arrests and issued penalty after it launched its latest initiative.
In a statement, state police said, "Transit, traffic, uniform members, undercover police, the Dog Squad and Mounted Branch patrolled and targeted several stations along the Cranbourne line, including the Caulfield and Dandenong railway stations (eastern suburbs)".
The police spoke to 110 people, issued 16 penalty notices and made four arrests — two for assault related offences, one drug related and one for drunk — during last nights operation from 6pm (local time), it said.
The officials also warned that future operations targeting other train stations across Melbourne will take place.
Moorabbin's Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Shiell said, "Thieves watch, target and follow commuters particularly in the walking vicinity around the stations, and also at nearby car parks."
