Police are targeting anti-social behaviour and crime hot spots as part of an ongoing operation on the Northern Beaches.
The Operation Summer Safe is being conducted by officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command, with assistance from the North West Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group, the Public Order and Riot Squad, the Mounted Police Unit and the Public Transport Command.
Between Friday 5 February to Saturday 6 February 2021 the operation targeted Manly Wharf (and surrounding East and West Esplanade), as well as public parks, beaches and licensed premises from Manly to Palm Beach.
Over the two days, police responded to 140 incidents; 32 people were searched, 26 people were issued with move-on directions and 59 business inspections were conducted.
One person will be issued with a criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour, while a second person will be issued a court attendance notice for littering with aggravation.
One person has been charged with drug-related offences and another person was charged with assault.
A number of teenagers were also referred to RISEUP programs during the operation.
Northern Beaches Police Area Commander, Superintendent Patrick Sharkey, said the operation was part of a proactive response to anti-social behaviour in high-risk areas.
"We are really focusing on engaging with the local community to do what we can to prevent crime from occurring in the first place," Supt Sharkey said.
"Youth crime is a concern and we need the community's help as we respond to this ongoing challenge.
"We have a number of proactive programs in place to engage with youth in the area, but we also need the community's help to report crime when they see it. I'd really encourage people to come forward and speak to us. Police are there to help and cannot investigate a crime they're not aware of.
"We will continue our focus on proactively identifying these problem areas and getting officers out there in high-visibility operations, to both deter and detect crime."
Operation Summer Safe has been ongoing since December 2020 and will continue throughout the rest of February 2021.
