In the past few weeks, up to 30 young people are reported to have committed a multitude of crime at Sturt Mall and Wagga Marketplace, as well as the north side of Wollundry Lagoon.

Police Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said these criminal and anti-social incidents were reported “every day”.

“Although Thursday afternoons and evenings are the general hot times,” he said.

“It’s been going on for at least four weeks that I’m aware of, maybe a bit longer.”

Police began increasing their operations and presence on October 2 this year.

On October 8, police charged a 14 year old for an alleged graffiti offence.

As well, police are investigating another offence involving four young people caught on CCTV committing graffiti near ANZ Bank.

One male has been identified as a 17 year old.

The young people are also reported to regularly congregate at the Forsyth Street entrances of both central shopping centres.

Since operations began, plain-clothed and uniformed police officers have also searched 17 youths and issued eight with with move-on directions.

“We understand some of the young people are actually accosting some of the customers in that area and asking for money and generally harassing people,” Detective Inspector Cloake said.

“A fellow was stopped there [Wagga Marketplace] the other day and he was found with a whole backpack with ladies’ shavers and other consumables that had all been stolen from local retailers.

“Items valued between a couple of dollars and a couple of hundred dollars.”

Detective Inspector Cloake said police receive regular calls from shopping centres.

“It appears that the young people are baiting security guards towards chasing them,” he said.

“We are told that they pick up the remains of cigarettes and generally cause other shoppers to feel unsettled.”

In response to questions about the issue, Wagga Marketplace manager Maria Sharman said “our prime responsibility is to ensure that both our customers and tenants are able to shop and work in a safe environment”.

“We have a contract with a security firm and we regularly discuss and adapt our security staffing levels to ensure a safe and pleasant shopping environment for all,” Ms Sharman said.

“We also work closely with the police if and when required in response to any social issues that occur from time to time.”

A spokesperson at Sturt Mall, which recently changed management to Knight Frank Wagga, said there had been no major youth incidents at the centre.

“Our onsite security and property teams have managed any minor incidents,” the spokesperson said.

“We have full-time security in place and monitor the centre requirements.

“We are keen to support and work with the local community on initiatives, including youth-related program, to build stronger communities.”

Detective Inspector Cloake said police were regularly in contact with the shopping centres to seek CCTV footage to help investigations and follow up anti-social incidents.

A taxi driver, who did not want to be named, said that while he had not witnessed any incidents by young people since police increased operations in early October, he had seen more police presence.

“I’ve seen more police patrolling the area,” he said.

“They do the best they can and they’re around fairly often.

“If you stand here [taxi rank on Forsyth Street] long enough, you’d see groups of young people going back and forth across the street.”

Detective Inspector Cloake said that police take a zero tolerance towards criminal acts and anti-social behaviours.

“Shopping centres and public places need to be safe for the community,” he said.

“If there are any reports, we’ll be down there and ready to respond."

He also cited police’s proactive youth-based programs for young people to prevent them from committing offences.

These programs include regular truancy operations by the youth liaison and school liaison police officers.

“With these operations, we address retail theft and incorporate and target other crimes such as graffiti and anti-social behaviour at the same time,” he said.

“Wagga Police deliver active and current tasking in and around these locations on a daily basis to reduce crime and move on number of people who may be causing problems.

“It’s going to be a long-term problem that will need constant measures taking place and continual monitoring.”

He urged anyone with information about any related incidents to contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599.

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