Police made 12 arrests on the streets of St Albans during a four-day operation targeting anti-social behaviour and the sale of stolen goods.
The operation – which police say they will look to conduct regularly – followed concerns from local businesses, residents and council about shop theft and the subsequent sale of stolen goods.
General duties police were assisted by the Mounted Branch and Transit police in conducting proactive patrols of Alfrieda Street, Errington Reserve and St Albans Railway Station.
Police also conducted plain clothes patrols to identify those selling stolen goods in the street.
Twelve people were arrested for a range of offences including handling stolen goods, dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and possessing a drug of dependence.
Police also issued 15 infringement notices for offences including the illegal sale of goods, possessing a controlled weapon and disobeying a red traffic light.
Brimbank Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Cam Sanderson said police will continue to run targeted operations like Operation Backstreet to address the community’s issues.
“We know the sale of stolen goods in our streets is a huge concern to the local community and businesses,” he said.
“That’s why we are targeting it from both a plain clothes and highly visible capacity.
“We even had the Mounted Branch patrol Alfredia Street which saw huge engagement from the community.”
Operation Backstreet was conducted on March 1-3, and again on March 19-20.
