Days after Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declared “zero tolerance” against attacks on students including Indians, the 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 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.”