Three young people have been arrested following a string of theft and burglary incidents across Sandy Bay and Kingston this week.
Detectives from the Kingston Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) have pressed charges against a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old in connection with an incident at Coles Kingston, during which the front doors of the store were smashed.
It is understood the youths attempted to forcibly open a cigarette cabinet before reportedly stealing meat from the deli.
Police have also charged the pair in connection with the alleged burglary of four motor vehicles in Kingston, as well as an alleged theft from a Sandy Bay bottle shop.
A third youth has also been charged with theft over the bottle shop incident.
All three youths have been released on bail and are scheduled to appear in the Youth Justice Court at a later date.
A Tasmania Police survey from late 2023 found the increasing rate of youth crime was the top concern for people across Tasmania, alongside theft from homes and public order and safety.
Police data from the Kingborough region published for the 12 months up to January 2024 indicates that the average total number of public order incidents, public place assaults, robbery offences and stolen motor vehicle offences across the area reported each month has climbed from 53 in February 2023 to 109.
