One of the fastest growing crimes in Victoria, retail theft has risen by 39 per cent in the past 12 months with Shepparton among the hardest-hit regions, recording 560 offences in the year to March.
Since July 2023, Operation Mosaic has run seven times.
Shepparton police Senior Constable Mitchell Bull said the “highly co-ordinated” operation involved police working with local retailers to identify offenders, monitor hotspots and act the moment a theft took place.
“Anyone who thinks shoplifting is easy in Shepparton needs to think again,” he said.
“Shepparton police are on the front foot.
“We don’t want offenders to think they can get away with it.
“We’re in stores, we’re watching, and if you’re stealing — we’ll catch you.”
Police have arrested 139 people for shop theft and other related crimes since the operation started.
Last weekend, on July 26 and 27, Shepparton police teamed up with 12 plain-clothed loss prevention officers to conduct a targeted sweep of major shopping strips and retailers.
The operation focused on identifying people attempting to steal high-demand goods including cosmetics, high-value meat products and hardware supplies.
Sen Constable Bull said offending was prevalent at all types of stores.
“The bigger and busier the store, the more likely they are to be targeted,” he said.
“But local-owned family business stores also get hit as much as the likes of bigger department stores do.”
Sen Constable Bull acknowledged some people were stealing due to cost-of-living pressures; however, he said they were still going out with the intent to steal, and were being deceptive by concealing items.
“As part of the operation, we offered referrals to local support services, but only four people took them up,” he said.
“We know there are people in the community doing it tough, and support is there if you need it.
“But if you choose to steal, you’ll be held accountable.”
Sen Constable Bull said the operation was being replicated in metropolitan and other regional areas due to its success.
“The community love to see it, the stores love to see it,” he said.
“It’s going to become more and more regular.”
Arrests from July 26 and 27 include:
A 36-year-old Shepparton woman was arrested after allegedly stealing about $245 worth of cosmetics. She was charged with theft and bailed to appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in November.
A 19-year-old Shepparton man was arrested after allegedly stealing $100 of liquor products. He was charged with theft, resisting police and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He was remanded in custody and faced Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on July 30.
A 53-year-old Tocumwal man was arrested after allegedly concealing $1100 of various hardware supplies and tools. He was charged with shop theft and will appear at Shepparton Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
