Operation Swipe has been launched across the state in the lead-up to the busy festive season to deter shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Tasmania Police Inspector Jason Klug said the aptly-named undertaking will see an increase in “highly visible foot patrols”, particularly in shopping areas.
It will involve officers keeping a look out for “known and recidivist” shoplifters.
“We’ll be utilising a range of resources, including uniform and plain clothes police, detectives and police dogs, as well as our Taskforce Saturate team in the south,” he said.
“These patrols are about sending a message to the small percentage of people in our community who choose to do the wrong thing.”
“Illegal activities and anti-social behaviours will not be tolerated by police.”
The operation coincides with the trial of new weapon-detecting wands in busy retail and entertainment precincts.
The trial follows two recent stabbings on Hobart’s eastern shore and a fatal police shooting of a man armed with a knife in Launceston on Tuesday.
“Tasmania is a safe place to live and while the vast majority of us are law abiding citizens, there is a small number of offenders who continue to do the wrong thing in our community,” Klug said.
