Police have charged 19 people after a retail theft operation in Charlestown last week.

Officers from the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group and Property Crime Reduction Team undertook a retail theft operation in the Charlestown area between Wednesday 27 July and Saturday 30 July.

The operation was established after police identified a significant increase in retail theft in the Charlestown area in the first half of 2016.

During the operation police apprehended 62 people. Of these 62 people, 19 people were charged. A total of 49 offences, mainly relating to retail theft, were charged, 30 criminal infringement notices were given out and 12 juveniles were cautioned.

During the operation the following people were charged:

A 34-year-old female was charged with shoplifting, goods in custody and resist arrest. She was granted bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on 24 August 2016.

A 42-year-old male was charged with shoplifting. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice and will appear in Belmont Local Court 24 August 2016.

A 15-year-old male appeared at a Children’s Court today (Monday 1 August 2016) after he was charged with shoplifting and enter dwelling with intent.

A 32-year-old female was charged with shoplifting. She was refused bail and will appear in Toronto Local Court on 6 September 2016.

A 29-year-old female appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Friday 29 July 2016 after she was charged with three counts of shoplifting and three outstanding warrants.

A 16-year-old male charged with two counts of break enter and steal. He was granted bail and will appear at a Children’s Court on 31 August 2016.

A 32-year-old male charged with take and drive conveyance and two counts of larceny. He was granted bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on 24 August 2016.

A 31-year-old female charged with shoplifting and state false name. She was refused bail and will appear in Newcastle Local Court on 15 September 2016.

A 28-year-old male charged stealing. He was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice and will appear at Belmont Local Court on 31 August 2016.

Lake Macquarie Detective Superintendent, Brett Greentree, says the operation was a success and similar operations will be conducted in the coming months.

“It was a successful four-day operation with our officers making a significant number of arrests,” Superintendent Greentree said.

“With Christmas and peak shopping seasons coming up we will continue to monitor retail theft in the area and conduct similar operations.”