1. On the evening of Tuesday, October 1, between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., a Japanese male passenger was assaulted while commuting on a train from Ferny Grove Station to Central Station in Brisbane. An African man boarded the train and approached the victim, claiming his phone had run out of battery and asked to borrow the victim’s smartphone. After handing over his phone, the assailant’s attitude changed, and he demanded the passcode. When the victim resisted, he was punched in the face and injured. At Bowen Hills Station, the victim managed to retrieve his phone and sought help from a station employee, but the suspect fled and remains at large.
To avoid becoming a victim of such incidents, please take note of the following precautions:
• Always stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when using public transportation, especially at night.
• If you notice any suspicious individuals, report them to train staff and, if necessary, move to another car or leave the train.
• Keep your belongings close and in sight at all times.
• When traveling at night, try to avoid being alone and move in groups whenever possible.
• Carry only essential valuables and avoid bringing large amounts of cash or expensive items.
• In case of an emergency or if you need urgent help, dial the emergency number “000” to reach the police, fire, or ambulance services. If you do not speak English, your call will be transferred to metropolitan police, where arrangements for a Japanese interpreter can be made.
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