Mid West-Gascoyne Police launch shoplifting prevention operation at major outlets in Geraldton and Carnarvon

Mid West-Gascoyne Police, in conjunction with retail loss prevention officers, have charged 48 people with 54 offences in a two- week operation cracking down on shoplifting in Geraldton and Carnarvon. Geraldton Police ran week-long operations in Geraldton and Carnarvon to tackle shoplifting from major grocery and liquor outlets Woolworths and BWS. Sen. Sgt Russell Hurst, officer-in-charge of the Mid West-Gascoyne District Engagement Support Unit, confirmed during the two-week operation, police charged 20 offenders in Geraldton and 24 in Carnarvon. The 48 offenders were charged with 54 offences, while 38 of them received banning notices. Sen. Sgt Hurst said 83 per cent of shoplifting offenders identified in the operation were processed by police, with 41 per cent of those being juveniles. Sen. Sgt Hurst said from Monday, May 15, officers were present at Seacrest Shopping Centre in Wandina, apprehending shoplifters as loss prevention officers identified them. The operation ran at Carnarvon Boulevard the following week. Sen. Sgt Hurst said police would continue to crack down on repeat shoplifters and encouraged witnesses of shoplifting not to hesitate to contact police with information. “These businesses hold a great place in our community, they’re employing lots of people, they’re providing food to communities. This cost is a massive burden to them,” he said. “We want to target those recidivist offenders as much as we can, we want to put banning notices in place, restraining orders where applicable and just look to really clamp down on these people that are continually offending to the full extent of the law.” Crime Prevention and Diversity Officer Sen. Const Rob Grace said they dealt with a woman who was known to repeatedly shoplift and has been served banning notices at multiple stores. “She was arrested on suspicion of stealing and dealt with for the trespass offence as well, she has been further caught in other retail premises and she’s been further charged with stealing,” he said. “She’s getting more banning notices so it’s limited her opportunity to get into these local businesses . . . police get to know them pretty fast and we can identify them pretty quick.”