Sydney teens targeting CBD bottle shops in youth crime ‘swarming’ craze

Organised, dangerous and cowardly: Police are raising the alarm on a new “swarming” spree trend which can involve up to 10 teens stealing booze straight from the shelves and, at times, ­assaulting shop attendants. Watch the video.

Teenagers are stealing from bottle shops and convenience stores across Sydney, as part of a new trend known as “swarming”. Swarming is a term used to describe a trend of shoplifting by groups of people, who invade shops in a coordinated manner before taking off with goods - particularly alcohol. Picture: Supplied

Exclusive: Teenagers are planning targeted smash-and-grabs on bottle shops and convenience stores, taking off with everything from booze to snacks, in a crime craze known as “swarming”.

The “swarming” trend involves a group of teens invading shops in a co-ordinated manner before stealing high value goods.

Since January alone, NSW Police have received an average of more than two reports of these offences every week in the CBD alone – with kids stealing booze straight from the shelves and, at times, ­assaulting shop attendants.

According to commander of the Sydney City Police Area Command Superintendent Marty Fileman, 27 of the 56 “swarming” incidents this year were linked to bottle shops.

“We are aware swarming is occurring, with alcohol bottle shops appearing to be targeted above other businesses,” he said. “Police have noticed an increase during the school holiday periods … we often see it increase around December and January for summer break and April for the Easter break.”

Police sources said the teens involved in the “swarming: thefts came from all backgrounds, including from private schools. Picture: Supplied

The swarming sprees – which can involve up to 10 kids at a time – have also resulted in physical violence, according to Superintendent Fileman, with seven recorded assaults.

“Swarming-style attacks are organised, dangerous and cowardly,” he said. “It’s serious criminal behaviour that has no place in the Sydney CBD.”

Data from Operation Next Gen, which is cracking down on out-of-control teens in the CBD, revealed that since January, NSW Police have taken legal action – including laying charges and issuing cautions – over 17 incidents.

Police sources said the kids involved in the thefts came from all backgrounds, including from private schools.

“We’ve seen it all over Sydney, and it’s kids who are known to us, and then there’s kids who are from the Northern Beaches, whose parents are horrified by it,” they said.

Retail Drinks Association CEO Michael Waters said the trend was right across the state – with workers being abused and assaulted by thieving teens several times a week.

“Verbal aggression and physical violence is on the rise, with stores increasingly experiencing serious incidents involving makeshift weapons or knives,” he said.

“Stores in both metro and regional areas (are) experiencing a similar frequency in security incidents, showing that crime and anti-social behaviour is not limited to specific areas.

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The other main targets have been convenience stores and Chemist Warehouse.

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