Inverell police have conducted a two-day blitz in a joint NSW Police Force and Major retailer Shoplifting Operation.
Between 9am last Thursday and 7pm on Friday, officers attached to Inverell Police Station, New England Proactive Crime Team, and Coles/Woolworths Loss Prevention Officers, conducted a plain clothes shoplifting operation in the township of Inverell.
The operation was initiated following engagement with local shop owners who had voiced concerns regarding ongoing retail thefts which were largely unreported.
As a result of the two-day operation, 9 shoplifting offences were detected and of these 9 incidents, 4 were dealt with via Court Attendance Notice, 3 via Criminal Infringement Notice, and 2 under the Young Offenders Act 1997.
A total of 12 persons were stopped and searched which included 2 drug detections and a knife possession offence, 5 move on directions were issued, and an additional 4 persons were detected in breach of bail conditions.
11 Business Inspections and various enquiries to locate outstanding warrant offenders were also undertaken.
