Police uncover organised thefts during country shoplifting blitz
A dedicated unit of five officers underwent daily patrols of Shepparton's shopping district as part of the operation. (ABC Shepparton: Charmaine Manuel)
In short:
Victoria Police says 130 people have been arrested during a retail theft blitz in Shepparton's CBD.
One offender, a 42-year-old Mooroopna woman, was arrested 21 times during the operation for supermarket shoplifting.
What's next?
A local business group has welcomed the police blitz but says more needs to be done to stop repeat offenders.
Police say an operation targeting retail theft in Shepparton has uncovered evidence of organised offending and led to more than 200 arrests.
Victoria Police launched Operation Securus in May, sending police on daily patrols through the town's shopping district to target repeat offenders after shoplifting rates reached a 10-year high.
Authorities have laid more than 800 charges, whilst also uncovering a level of "organisation" behind the ongoing offending.
"We're not seeing people stealing bread and milk to feed their families," Superintendent Anna Parkinson said.
"The offending that's being done here is to feed drug habits and use the goods to run some kind of illegal business."
In May, police launched Operation Securus, focusing on retail theft in Shepparton's shopping district. (ABC Shepparton: Charmaine Manuel)
Authorities said almost $50,000 worth of goods stolen from supermarkets, liquor stores and other shops had been returned during the operation.
Police arrested 130 people, of whom about 15 per cent were repeat offenders, including a 42-year-old Mooroopna woman who had been arrested 21 times.
She was subsequently sentenced to 70 days in prison.
Police say 130 people have been arrested since the operation began, with some offenders arrested multiple times for shoplifting. (ABC News)
Authorities said another theft investigation led to the seizure of drugs, including cannabis and methamphetamine, from a Shepparton property in September.
Business group wants tougher bail laws
Greater Shepparton Business Network vice-president Jac McCarty said the police blitz had been "fantastic" for retailers.
However, she said stronger bail laws were needed to stop reoffending.
"Whilst these results are pleasing, it is also disappointing to note the number of reoffenders who are being let back out to continue these behaviours," she said.
Jac McCarty has welcomed the results of the operation but wants more to be done to reduce reoffending. (Supplied: Jac McCarty)
"Our bail laws need to be strengthened to ensure real outcomes can be made."
Ms McCarty said police should follow through on the promise to expand the operation beyond the Shepparton CBD later this year.
"Our retailers have been threatened and left scared in their workplaces, repeat offenders are brazenly returning for more, and money is needing to be spent on security by businesses that are already fighting hardships," she said.
"Crime is not just impacting the Shepparton CBD, with reports from Tatura and Mooroopna as well being quite concerning."
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