Police have arrested more than 108 people during a shoplifting crackdown across Sydney this week, NSW Police say.
Operation Lightfingers, comprising officers from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad with assistance from Eastern Suburbs, Redfern, Leichhardt and Sydney City Police Area Commands, was launched on Wednesday (12 December 2018), and concluded yesterday (Friday 14 December 2018).
The operation targeted shoplifting offences throughout a number of major retail outlets across the Sydney CBD, Broadway, Redfern and Bondi Junction.
Police arrested a total of 108 people during the three-day operation, who were charged with 120 offences.
Of those arrested, four people were charged, 42 were issued Field Court Attendance Notices, 47 were issued Criminal Infringement Notices, and 15 were issued warnings.
Over the course of the operation, police also recovered more than $17,300 worth of stolen goods.
On the second day of the operation, security stopped a 24-year-old Punchbowl woman after leaving a supermarket at a Bondi Junction shopping centre. A shopping trolley allegedly containing toiletries, cosmetics, and baby formula was recovered.
Police arrested the woman before she was taken to Waverley Police Station, where she was charged with shoplifting value >$ 2000 & <=$ 5000 and refused bail.
The woman appeared at Waverley Local Court yesterday (Friday 14 December 2018) and was refused bail to appear at the same court on Wednesday 19 December 2018.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said the festive season generally sees an increase in customers and can therefore create opportunities for shoplifters.
"The busy period of Christmas with the influx of shoppers can often be seen as an opportunistic time for potential shoplifters to target retailers while staff members are busy with customers," Det Ch Insp Bell said.
"We coordinate Operation Lightfingers not only at Christmas, but throughout the year, which allows police and retail staff to work together to target possible thieves, and send a clear message to anyone who thinks they can steal goods without paying for it.
"While significant improvements in surveillance technology and an increase in loss prevention officers have made an impact on the rates of retail theft, it continues to cost the industry billions of dollars each year," Det Ch Insp Bell said.
"I can assure the community that we are committed to continuing our operations that target shoplifting and this sort of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated."
Police are urging anyone with information about retail theft or fraud offences to contact Crime Stoppers.
