Operation Bingo targets shoplifting, anti-social behaviour in central Geelong
More than $10,000 worth of items stolen from Westfield Geelong were retrieved by police as officers continue to crack down on shoplifting.
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More than $10,000 of stolen goods were retrieved by Geelong police in a planned crackdown on shoplifting.
Officers swarmed Westfield Geelong on Monday as part of Operation Bingo 2.0, a four-day sting targeting theft and anti-social behaviour in the city.
A previous operation in December last year resulted in more than $10,000 worth of items stolen from the shopping centre being retrieved by officers, as part of a two-day shoplifting crackdown during the Christmas season.
This included a woman who attempted to steal a trolley load of items from Big W, including electronics and toys worth about $2000.
Acting Sergeant Adam Barnes, who led the operation, said it was a “great result”.
On Monday, three alleged thieves were caught after stealing $280 worth of items.
It is understood thieves stealing high-end items from Westfield Geelong, including designer clothes and perfume, were selling them to make a profit.
Sergeant Barnes said there had been a “slight decline” in thefts at Westfield but the offences “came in waves”.
He said behaviour in the centre had improved on the whole.
In January, eight teenagers, including a 13-year-old boy, were arrested after brawling in the centre’s food court.
The boys were officially cautioned and released but it is understood they have been banned from the centre.
Public Transport Victoria officers also targeted the Moorabool St bus stop as part of Monday’s operation, checking Myki cards of every passenger boarding and disembarking from buses.
Each passenger found not to be carrying a Myki was reported to the Department of Transport.
It will decide whether they will be given a warning or face a fine of $280 – or $96 if under the age of 18.
The multi-agency operation also included loss-prevention officers (LOPs) and security guards from Westfield.
Sergeant Barnes urged shop owners and sale assistants to report thefts, especially those working in smaller stores.
He said junior staff were hesitant to report stolen goods due to fear of confrontation with the offenders.
“In most cases, if they’ve stolen from one store, they have stolen from others,” he said.
“We want to educate the offenders to think twice before stealing.”
Police will continue to maintain a visible presence around Geelong during the school holidays with more teenagers venturing into town.
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Originally published as Operation Bingo targets shoplifting, anti-social behaviour in central Geelong
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