All entrances and exits to the town were blocked as police targeted any sort of offenders, Tasmania Police Senior Sergeant Mike Gillies said.

"We're checking all motorists that are coming or going and checking for anything that is of an offending nature," he said.

"There is no real reason [Cressy was targeted], it's a random location. We do it in the city as well, but we're not just concentrating on the cities."

All available resources were used in the operation, including a drug dog, undercover vehicles and the police helicopter. About 15 officers were also involved.

"We're using the helicopter for general observation and in case we need to conduct any pursuits or evades of any nature," Senior Sergeant Gillies said.

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There was no obvious goal for police at the operation, other than to send those thinking about offending to not do so.

"We just want to see who's about and who has been offending in the area," Senior Sergeant Gillies said.

"And to let people know that we are out there and are doing this sort of thing in case they are thinking about doing this sort of thing."

A number of minor offences were recorded, but nothing major Senior Sergeant Gillies said.

"This is a pretty standard operation for Tasmania Police. We've done it in a number of the larger cities and the smaller towns, and we intend to continue in that vein," he said.

"The message that we would like to send with this is two fold; those that are thinking of offending in these areas, think again, and to the people that are living in the area we want them to be aware that we're out there and we're proactive."

Similar operations have also been conducted at Mayfield and Ravenswood.

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