Police in Sydney's North Shore have charged ten people during a three-day retail crime blitz under Operation Percentile over the weekend.
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.
The operation was conducted at retail precincts, including major shopping centres, in Sydney's North Shore area from Thursday 17 September 2026 to Saturday 19 September 2026, in conjunction with retail outlets and loss prevention staff, to target criminal offences, mainly shoplifting.
Officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command were assisted by officers attached to Northern Sydney Sector Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Hornsby Police Transport Command, Youth Command, Gordon Region Enforcement Squad and North West Metropolitan Operation Kella.
During the three-day operation, ten people were charged with 20 offences, and a further 16 people were issued with Criminal Infringement Notices.
A further 16 youth cautions were issued, as well as 64 business inspections and 25 move on directions.
Crime Prevention Command Superintendent Phil Hallinan said the three-day surge reflected the NSW Police Force's commitment to tackling retail crime, as part of the Retail Crime Strategy announced in October 2025.
"Operation Percentile continues to disrupt and target retail offenders, while preventing stock loss and supporting businesses," Superintendent Hallinan said.
"Police continue to work with the retail sector and encourage the reporting of all retail crime.
"The growing number of offenders being identified and charged demonstrates that the current policing strategy is effective and that retailers are increasingly engaging with law enforcement to report incidents."
Incidents of note:
Incident 1: About 1.20pm on Thursday 17 September 2026, police observed a man allegedly fail to pay for items at a supermarket in Chatswood. Police stopped the 19-year-old man and conducted a search, during which they allegedly found a number of grocery items and a jumper in his possession. He was arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with shoplifting value less than equal to $2000 and goods in personal custody suspected stolen (not motor vehicle/vessel). He was refused bail and appeared before Hornsby Local Court on Friday 18 September 2026. VISION INCLUDED
Incident 2: About 11.45am on Thursday 17 September 2026, police were called to a cosmetics store in a shopping centre in Chatswood, following reports of a theft. Officers were told a man entered the store and stole several items. About 6.50pm, police were called to a department store at a shopping centre in Chatswood following reports of a theft. Police attended and a short time later, officers arrested a 28-year-old man on Anderson Street, Chatswood. Police searched the man and located several allegedly stolen items in his possession. He was taken to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of shoplifting. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Police will allege the man stole the items from three different stores.
Incident 3: About 3pm on Thursday 17 September 2026, officers attached to the Police Transport Command were patrolling the Chatswood Train Station where they spoke to a 43-year-old man. During a search of his possessions, police allegedly located and seized two fireworks and a small quantity of heroin. The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug and possess explosive in public place and is due to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Monday 28 October 2026.
Incident 4: About 7.35pm on Saturday 19 September 2026, police were patrolling Chatswood Railway Station when they located man fail to pay his train fare. Police spoke to the man - aged 35 - before searching a shopping bag he was allegedly carrying. During the search police located and seized a small bag of methylamphetamine, a number of clothing items believed to have been stolen, and a device used to remove anti-theft tags from clothing. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station where he was charged with travel or attempt travel without valid ticket - adult, possess prohibited drug, goods in personal custody suspected stolen, and armed with intent to commit indictable offence. The 35-year-old will appear before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
