Police have responded to antisocial behaviour and theft at Dee Why with an undercover operation.
In the wake of a recent spate of thefts and violence in the vicinity of the Lighthouse square at Howard Avenue, Dee Why, NSW Police yesterday (Thursday, 30 April 2026) conducted an undercover operation targeting antisocial behaviour. Five people were reported to have been fined as a result of the sting.
The brazen thefts by teens, particularly from the Woolworths supermarket and the BWS liquor store at the Lighthouse Retail Precinct at Dee Why, has led to increasing community frustration, with one man this week involved in a physical altercation after confronting thieves.
It is understood a specific group of teens have been treating the Woolworths as a ‘free-for-all’. The problem is reported to have got worse following the closure of nearby convenience stores for illegal tobacco sales that were also previously a favoured target for petty theft.
Supermarket staff are understood to have been largely powerless to stop the thefts, told not to engage directly with the thieves for safety reasons. It is believed the store is considering full-time security in response to the shoplifting.
Police have been responding and detaining teens when crimes are reported, or moving them on when unable to prove criminal activity. Police are obliged to deal with youths under-18 according to the Young Offenders Act, which sees them diverted down a non-custodial pathway.
While there are merits to that approach in many cases, it fails where there is recidivist behaviour. The teens are known to taunt police, telling them ‘they cannot do anything’, and they ‘will be released’.
Repeat behaviour can lead to judicial outcomes however, and one of those netted in yesterday’s operation is a teen known to police.
Undercover police arrested the 15-year-old boy at the Lighthouse square just before 3.30pm yesterday. He was taken to Manly Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail and larceny. The boy was refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court today (Friday, 01 May 2026).
As the operation unfolded, the public became aware as the police officers involved became prominent and word spread. A number of members of the public expressed satisfaction at the police presence and other teens from the group avoided the vicinity while the operation was ongoing.
Northern Beaches Police Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Michael Boutouridis, confirmed five people had been netted in the operation.
Michael Boutouridis
“On Thursday, 30 April 2026, Northern Beaches Police conducted a local enforcement operation targeting retail theft and antisocial behaviour.
“The focus was on young people who were suspected of stealing from Northern Beaches retailers.
“The operation was led by the Northern Beaches Youth Officer and staffed by Northern Beaches Police and loss prevention officers.
“Police enforcement action included issuing five criminal infringement notices that carry a penalty of $300, and five youth cautions issued in accordance with the Young Offenders Act.
“The Northern Beaches Police targeting of local shoplifting aligns with the NSW Police Force retail crime strategy codenamed Operation Percentile. The strategy includes building stronger relationships with NSW based retailers and increasing legal action for offences within retail premises,” said DCI Boutouridis.
Member for Manly James Griffin, whose electorate encompasses the Dee Why town centre, thanked police for their ongoing efforts to combat antisocial behaviour.
“Dealing with children is legally difficult for police but I applaud their efforts and will do what I can to support them,” said Mr Griffin.
Images: Northern Beaches Advocate (incl file)
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