Despite advertising the search a week prior, officers found seven people carrying weapons at Footscray railway station. The search was announced before Nitin Garg was killed in Yarraville.

Between 1-4pm, 182 people were searched. Four penalty notices were issued for carrying alcohol on public transport, disorderly conduct, hindering or obstructing an operation and being drunk.

One person was arrested for outstanding warrants and another was caught carrying drugs.

Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said the results were a clear indication that people who frequented Footscray were armed with weapons.

"It is our intention to run a number of targeted operations in weapons hot spots this year until we see a reduction in weapon related crimes."

Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland expressed concern about the new powers, which she voted against in Parliament.

"The police already had the power to search people suspected of carrying an illegal weapon.. what they need is more resources to do their job."

Social worker Les Twentyman described it as a "publicity stunt", saying there were more people from the media at the railway station that day than there were commuters.

Police statistics show that from 2008-09 robberies involving knives increased 9.4 per cent.