A three-day shoplifting crackdown by police has resulted in five people being charged with 15 alleged offences in the state's northwest this week.
Officers attached to Oxley Police District carried out the operation in Tamworth from Tuesday 24 March 2026 through to yesterday (Thursday 26 March 2026), following an increase in reported theft incidents from retail stores in the area in recent months.
Thirteen officers – from both general duties and the Proactive Crime Team – were deployed for the operation, during which police charged a total of five people with 15 alleged offences, and:
·Conducted 26 person searches,
·Issued nine young persons with warnings under the Young Offenders Act,
·Issued 13 Criminal Infringement Notices, and
·Issued 13 Field Court Attendance Notices.
Incidents of note include:
·About 2.15pm on Tuesday 24 March 2026, police arrested a 44-year-old man at a shopping centre on Kathleen Street, South Tamworth, shortly after he allegedly stole several items from a supermarket inside. Upon searching the man, officers allegedly located several items believed to be stolen, along with an amount of cannabis. The man was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, shoplifting and breach of bail. He was refused bail to face Bail Division Court 5 on Wednesday 25 March 2026.
·About 2.20pm on Thursday 26 March 2026, police apprehended a 32-year-old man in a carpark on Kathleen Street, South Tamworth, shortly after he allegedly stole grocery items valued at over $200. The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice to face South Tamworth Local Court on Monday 13 April 2026, charged with shoplifting value less than or equal to $2000 and enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse.
Further similar operations are planned to roll out in the area in future.
