Police from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad have arrested 92 people and charged them with 117 offences during a crackdown on shoplifting at major retail centres in Sydney’s CBD and Miranda this month.

Operation Lightfingers was conducted in two phases, starting at a major retail centre in Miranda from 5 – 7 May and completed from 24 – 28 May at a series of stores within Sydney’s CBD.

Redfern Region Enforcement Squad officers – assisted by police from the City Central, The Rocks and Miranda Local Area Commands – worked in conjunction with loss prevention staff from a number of department stores and targeted systemic property theft.

During the eight days of the operation, 71 people were arrested and  charged with a total of 91 offences.

Fifteen youths and six adults were arrested and received cautions for 26 offences relating to retail theft.

Police also recovered more than $26,000 in stolen goods during the blitz.

Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, praised the major retail outlets for their eagerness to assist in the operation.

“It’s always pleasing to see police and the retail sector working hand-in-hand to stop shoplifters in their tracks,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.

“Thieves seeking to capitalise on opportunistic crime are under more scrutiny than ever, with both uniformed and undercover police patrolling
stores across the state.

“The department stores are also doing their bit with skilled security staff and improved surveillance technology,” he said.

“Retail theft is generally an opportunistic crime, with those committing the offences often looking at small, easily concealed items.

“The NSW Police Force works with retailers to look at ways of reducing or eliminating crime in the retail sector,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.

“We hope this type of operation will act as a deterrent to anyone thinking of indulging in this illegal behaviour.

“People really need to ask themselves whether stealing a comparatively cheap item is worth winding up with a criminal record.

“We are confident this operation will send a warning that shoplifting and unlawful behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will continue to run these types of operations in the future using both uniformed and plain-clothes police,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.

Among those apprehended were:

• On Friday 27 May a 28-year-old South Penrith man was seen by a loss prevention officer in a Sydney department store allegedly placing 17 Polo Ralph Lauren shirts – valued at $2,200 – into a bag before leaving the store without making an attempt to pay for the items. He was arrested by police upon leaving the store. It was established the man was allegedly wanted for stealing merchandise at a Penrith department store earlier in the month and had been banned from entering the store. The man was charged with two counts of larceny and one count of trespass. He was bailed to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 24 June 2011.

• On Wednesday 25 May a 26-year-old Tregear man was seen by loss prevention staff in a Sydney department store allegedly concealing a pair of earrings before leaving the store without paying for them. He was arrested and charged with larceny. The man, who was on parole for an unrelated matter, was refused bail and appeared before Central Local Court on the same day. He pleaded guilty and received a sentence of four months imprisonment.

• On Tuesday 24 May two North Ryde women, aged 18 and 20, were observed in a Sydney department store by loss prevention staff and police, allegedly stealing numerous items of clothing – valued at about $1,100. The pair was allegedly seen concealing the items into a handbag. Police will allege an inspection of the bag revealed that it contained a false bottom, where most of the clothes were recovered from. Both women were issued court attendance notices for stealing and are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 5 July 2011.