Police have charged five teenagers following a four-month investigation into alleged graffiti offences on the Sydney Trains network between Berowra and Thornleigh and Berowra and Gordon.

On Tuesday 16 December 2014, police from Hornsby Police Transport Command (PTC) and Ku-ring-gai Local Area Command arrested three teenage boys at their home addresses.

The arrests were the result of an intensive four-month investigation into graffiti related offences on the Northern Line and the North Shore Line on the Sydney Trains network. Police investigations led to the identification of seven young persons, allegedly responsible for these offences.

A boy, aged 14, was charged with six graffiti related offences. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 6 January 2015.

Another boy, aged 14, was charged with 15 graffiti related offences. He was also charged with unrelated matters and refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 16 December 2014.

A third boy, aged 16, was charged with 17 graffiti related offences. He was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court on Tuesday 6 January 2015.

Additionally a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were also issued with court attendance notices for possess graffiti implement and intentionally mark premises without consent. Both are due to appear before a children’s court next year.

Acting Superintendent Denby Eardley, Commander, Police Transport Command North Central Sector said, “Graffiti related offences cost transport providers thousands of dollars a year to repair or replace”.

“I’m very proud of my officers’ efforts to ensure travellers on the transport network experience a safe and clean environment,” said A/Supt Eardley.