More than 110 people have been charged during a two-day Operation Percentile surge targeting retail crime in Sydney's north west.
Operation Percentile aims to detect, disrupt and deter retail crime offenders, with the objective of preventing stock loss, protecting customers and retail workers and deterring anti-social behaviour.
On Wednesday 29 July 2026 and Thursday 30 July 2026, officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region undertook the operation at major shopping centres and precincts in Parramatta, Chatswood, Hornsby, Penrith, Mount Druitt and Blacktown, in conjunction with retail outlets and loss prevention staff, to target criminal offences, mainly shoplifting.
During the two-day operation, 116 people were charged with 130 offences, and a further 65 people were issued with Criminal Infringement Notices.
A further 10 youth cautions were issued, as well as 27 warnings and 106 banning notices.
Police also conducted knife scanning operations during the surge at Parramatta and Hornsby Interchanges, during which nine knives were located and seized, and eight drug detections were made.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said everyone deserves to feel safe at work, and retail workers should never have to face abuse, threats or violence simply for doing their job.
"That's why we back police to run intelligence-led operations like Percentile, targeting the repeat offenders causing the most harm.
"Since October, police have charged more than 1,300 people, taken more than 1,550 legal actions and identified over 2,380 offences linked to more than $600,000 in stolen stock.
"Operation Percentile is a key part of the broader Retail Crime Strategy - bringing police, unions and retailers together to prevent crime, protect workers and put offenders before the courts."
Crime Prevention Command Superintendent Phil Hallinan said Operation Percentile continues to be a success.
"Operation Percentile reflects the strong collaboration between police and the retail sector in targeting retail crime," Superintendent Hallinan said.
"Our officers worked closely with retailers and security partners during this surge to identify offenders and hold them accountable.
"Stealing from businesses and assaulting retail workers are serious offences that impact hardworking staff, business owners and the wider community.
"Our message is clear: retail crime will not be tolerated and if you attempt to steal from a retailer, or intimidate or assault a retail worker, police will find you and put you before the courts."
Incidents of note:
Incident 1: About 3pm on Wednesday 29 July 2026, police were called to a pharmacy in Hornsby, following reports of an assault and stealing. Officers were told a 22-year-old had attempted to steal medication when he was stopped by two workers. An altercation subsequently ensued, in which a worker was allegedly assaulted. He was arrested following a short foot pursuit and was taken to Hornsby Police Station. He was charged with assault retail worker but no actual bodily harm caused, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, destroy or damage property and two counts of larceny value. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Incident 2: About 1.30pm on Wednesday (29 July 2026), police were called to a supermarket on High Street, Penrith, following reports of a stealing. Police were told a 37-year-old man had taken items from the supermarket and left the store before being stopped by Loss Prevention Officers. The man was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with shoplifting value less than or equal to $2000. He was refused bail to appear before Penrith Local Court on Thursday 30 July 2026.
Incident 3: About 12.30pm on Wednesday (29 July 2026), police arrested a 36-year-old man at Hornsby Railway Station. He was taken to Hornsby Police Station, where he was charged with larceny value less than or equal to $2000 and enter dwelling with intent (steal). He was granted conditional bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 4 August 2026. Police will allege that on five occasions this month, the man entered an apartment complex on De Clambe Drive, Castle Hill, and stole a number of postage parcels.
Incident 4: About 12.10pm on Thursday 30 July 2026, police were called to a department store in a shopping centre on Church Street, Parramatta, following reports a man had allegedly assaulted two retail workers. Police were told the man had allegedly attempted to return an item that he had taken from the store. Loss Prevention Officers attempted to stop the man. The man was stopped by Loss Prevention Officers, who he then allegedly assaulted, before the arrival of police. He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for two counts of assault retail worker but no actual bodily harm caused and dishonestly obtain property by deception. He is due to face Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
Incident 5: About 2.55pm on Thursday 30 July 2026, police were called to a supermarket in a shopping centre on Church Street, Parramatta, following reports of an alleged stealing. Police were told a 48-year-old man allegedly stole items from the supermarket before being by Loss Prevention Officers. He was subsequently arrested by police and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 31 July 2026).
Further Operation Percentile deployments are expected to roll out in the future.
