‘Vile’: NSW Police crack down on retail crime in busy shopping precincts
Police cracked down on “vile” behavior in two major shopping areas ahead of the busy Christmas period and charged 50 people with retail offences.
During the two-day operation, officers patrolled Sydney’s CBD and Liverpool, with an additional 74 people issued orders and another 49 cited for breaches.
Police also found and seized five weapons, including four knives and a slingshot, and detected 14 drugs.
In the police sting, which occurred on Thursday and Friday this week, NSW Police officers encountered a 38-year-old man at a supermarket within a Sydney city shopping center who allegedly stole items from a store before allegedly assaulting and threatening retail workers.
The man was charged with multiple offences, including theft, attempted harassment and common assault.
A separate incident saw a 32-year-old woman accused of shoplifting from a store in Liverpool after police found her with 98 stolen items worth $755.
Police said the crackdown on retail crime, known as Operation Percentage, aims to “detect, disrupt and deter retail crime offenders”, prevent stock loss and protect customers and retail workers.
“Retail crime will not be tolerated and anyone caught shoplifting or committing crimes against retail workers will be punished accordingly,” Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein, APM, Talent, Performance and Youth Command, said in a statement.
The operation began in August 2024 and since then, 1,080 people have been charged with more than 1,395 crimes under Operation Percentage, with an estimated value of recovered stockpile at $960,500.
Policing and Counter-Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley says the operation has had an impact and tells the community such behavior is “unacceptable”.
He said police were working hard to crack down on retail crime and keep workers safe.
“No one deserves to be subjected to violence or mistreatment in the workplace; it is not only cowardice, it is a crime,” he said.
“Police make sure criminals face consequences.”
