A 15-year-old carrying a hunting knife, two men fighting with a hammer and a couple who stole clothing worth hundreds of dollars are among more than 100 arrests in the first three weeks of a shopping centre safety clampdown.
Operation Pulse, which began on 8 December, sees police team up with protective services officers to patrol busy metropolitan centres over summer.
The 90-day trial is on top of existing efforts to combat retail theft and anti-social behaviour.
Four shopping centres - Northland, Highpoint, Eastland and Fountain Gate - have been initially selected.
Victoria Police is continuing the highly visible patrols as people hit the shops for the Boxing Day sales.
The 109 arrests so far include:
- A 15-year-old boy with a hunting knife stashed in his waistband. He was taken to a police station where a parent attended and issued a caution;
- A 24-year-old man who struck a 25-year-old man with a stolen hammer, causing a minor laceration. The older man then took hold of the hammer, chasing the other man and punching him. The 24-year-old was charged with shop theft, affray and assault with a weapon. The 25-year-old was charged with affray, assault with a weapon and committing an indictable offence on bail; and
- A 20-year-old woman and 38-year-old man who stole $800 of streetwear. The woman was charged with shoptheft, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence on bail. The man was charged with shoptheft and breaching a court order.
Thirty weapons have so far been seized through both regular searches and weapons declarations in place at all four centres.
One operation alone yielded a baton, set of knuckle dusters, dagger and three knives in a single day.
A total 217 offences have been detected since Operation Pulse began.
A third, or 75 offences, related to theft and shop steal.
Police and PSOs have responded to multiple incidents involving abuse of shop workers.
They include a woman evicted from a computer store when she became extremely aggressive and refused staff requests to leave.
A group of two females and a male got into a disagreement with workers taking photos with Santa.
More than 100 people have been directed to move on from centres.
A total 41 cautions and 38 penalty notices have been issued.
All police and PSO shifts included in Operation Pulse are voluntary, meaning they are in addition to existing patrols with no impact on resourcing.
The effort continues until 28 February.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill:
"With the Boxing Day sales and school holidays underway, Victoria Police is here to keep shoppers and retail workers safe.
"Already we've made more than 100 arrests, seized dozens of weapons and moved on a significant number of people intent on causing trouble.
"The strong police and PSO presence will continue over coming months, with officers deployed based on what the intelligence is telling us.
"As a police force we simply will not stand for those who bring violence, aggression and weapons to places we should all feel safe."
