The operation resulted in six infringement notices, five person searches and four move on directions.

Police conducted the operation in response to increased reports of theft at Green Hills since the centre’s expansion earlier this year.

“We’ve definitely detected an increase since all the shops opened,” Maitland police officer in charge Chief Inspector Glenn Blain said. 

“Whenever there is a new centre people are going to test the security.”

In the month of June, 15 shoplifting incidents were reported from within the centre and police suspect there may have been more.

“Some businesses don’t know until they do a stock take,” Chief Inspector Blain said.

Cosmetics store Mecca Maxima was the worst hit, with at least six shoplifting incidents last month. 

To combat the problem, police are working with centre security and loss prevention staff to prevent and catch offenders.

“We do treat it very seriously and we’ll continue to run these operations,” Chief Inspector Blain said.

Stockland Green Hills centre manager Angela Vogt said Stockland was aware of the recent spike in shoplifting. She said the company didn’t tolerate theft, and their “absolute priority” was to ensure the centre was a safe place.

“We have worked with police to maintain a high level of vigilance where shoplifting is concerned,” she said. “We have also applied several security related strategies including security patrols, security camera recording and monitoring, signage, lighting and good design to maximise sightlines and passive surveillance.”