POLICE will crack down on criminal behaviour in multiple ACT shopping centres, following an operation which saw more than 30 people caught stealing or engaging in other “antisocial behaviour”.

The targeted operation involved police dressed in both uniform and plain clothes in relevant shopping centres taking a range of actions, from supporting the issuing of banning notices through to the application of criminal charges.

“Put simply – from now on, anyone in a shopping centre could be an on-duty police officer – ready to respond as required,” said a police spokesperson.

“Targeted operations involving uniformed and plain clothes officers will continue in the coming weeks and months.”

Police actions in the operation to date include:

• 9 banning notices issued
• 4  criminal cautions issued
• 4  charges of criminal trespass
• 5  breach of bail
• 1  charge unlawful possession stolen property
• 5  charge of theft
• 1  charge of property damage
• 1  charge breach good behaviour order
• 1  hinder Territory Public Official
• 1 resist Territory Public Official

Police remind anyone who witnesses a crime to call police on 131 444 for non-urgent matters. To provide information about criminal behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.