A woman and three youths were allegedly behind the latest offences with police receiving reports of a group stealing from shops on Tuesday afternoon.

An 18-year-old woman and three teenage girls were later found with stolen property and were arrested over the thefts and were charged for being abusive towards police.

The woman was bailed to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.

The three youths were also charged and will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

Earlier this year, Tasmania Police launched a crackdown on shop stealing after retailers spoke out about the issue – some claiming to have lost tens of thousands of dollars to thieves each year. 

Describing it as shop stealing, rather than shop lifting, Northern Commander Brett Smith said police treated it as a serious problem.

“Stealing from shops is a crime, we don’t take this issue lightly and we will treat these offenders as criminals,” he told The Examiner in June.

“If they are caught, they will be arrested and taken to police headquarters to be dealt with and then put before the courts.”

The crackdown included an increase in high-visibility police patrols in the CBD and shopping precincts across Launceston. 

Wanted Streetwear owner Luke Dawson, who also founded the Launceston Retail Watch group, said businesses were continuing to work with police and Crime Stoppers to target thieves.

“During this busy time of year, people ramp up their ‘activity’ and it is fantastic to see the police have been vigilant and onto it straight away,” he said.

“We have seen a greater police presence in town and more proactive policing.”

Mr Dawson said business owners would continue to use the Launceston Retail Watch group to communicate with one another and stay vigilant during the Christmas period.

To report shop stealing contact police on 131 444.