The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) is applauding Victoria Police’s Operation Pulse, which has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and over 2,000 charges laid across four of the biggest shopping centres in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Operation Pulse has seen teams of police and Protective Service Officers (PSOs) patrolling the centres each day since early December.
Almost half of the charges laid to date are for retail theft, while police and PSOs have also made over 350 drug and weapon seizures.
The overt presence of officers has led to a significant reduction in violent crimes against other people, with only 3 per cent of charges laid in relation to offences such as assault and affray.
SCCA CEO Angus Nardi said these results prove once again that it’s been a massive success in addressing community safety, backed by an intelligence-led, targeted and coordinated response to retail crime.
“The shopping centres covered by Operation Pulse have hundreds of thousands of customer visits every single day, and the operation has given small businesses, customers and workers massive assurance and confidence.”
Some of the key arrests made include two youths who were apprehended after stealing 14 pairs of sunglasses worth $4,500. One of the offenders here had a hunting knife in his pants.
One male offender stole $2000 worth of knives from a homewares store and was arrested in close vicinity to the shopping centre. The man had multiple outstanding whereabouts and warrants.
Multiple vehicles with stolen or cloned registration plates were identified in shopping centre car parks, leading to searches of the drivers and vehicles. Items recovered included methylamphetamine, 1’4 Butanediol, large quantities of cash and counterfeit currency.
Another three males were arrested in the carpark after Operation Pulse members witnessed a shop theft. A search of their car uncovered stolen makeup, vitamins, baby formula, and electronics. Methylamphetamine and heroin were also found.
A 41-year-old man was apprehended with a loaded firearm down in his pants at a shopping centre. The man came to police attention after acting suspiciously and was subsequently charged with firearm related offences.
Superintendent Matt Baynes said 1,000 arrests shows that there is no place for criminal behaviour in shopping centres.
“While it’s more difficult to quantify, the presence of police and PSOs is also undoubtedly preventing significant offending – whether it be breaking up planned fights or putting doubt into the minds of opportunistic thieves,” Baynes said.
“As a result, retailers and shoppers are approaching us regularly to say they feel safer since the operation commenced.”
Operation Pulse first commenced on 8 December 2025 and has been extended to the end of 2026.
Police and PSOs will continue to patrol four major shopping centres each day, with sites of focus including Pacific Werribee, Bayside Frankston, Highpoint, Fountain Gate, Northland, Watergardens, Southland, and Eastland.
All shifts are voluntary, meaning there is no impact on the rail network as PSOs are working at shopping centres in addition to existing shifts.
SCCA’s Nardi added that the results build on the strong outcomes already identified by the Council and its members, including a 73 per cent reduction in retail theft and a 50 per cent reduction in aggressive and violent incidents across participating centres.
“Feedback from the community has also been overwhelmingly positive, with more than 80 per cent of customers and retailers consistently reporting that they feel safer with a visible police presence.”
Nardi said the operation is a clear example of what can be achieved through strong partnerships.
“The SCCA and our members have worked closely with Victoria Police and the Victorian Government to support a coordinated and evidence-based approach to tackling retail crime.
“We commend Victoria Police and PSOs for their professionalism and dedication, and we look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen community safety.”