75 arrested during intense three-week focus on Chapel Street

A bolstering of police on Chapel Street has seen 75 arrests made and more than 2000 members of the public engaged with in just three weeks.

An around the clock presence from the Public Order Response Team, assisted by drug detectives, detection dogs, police on horseback, and uniform police saw officers flood the shopping and entertainment strip with a highly visible presence.

The effort extended to South Melbourne, St Kilda and Chadstone Shopping Centre.

Since 5 April, Operation Embrace led to:

• 75 arrests for retail thefts, drug possession and criminal damage.
• Nearly 850 patrols to key priority community locations, including licenced premises.
• Nearly 200 vehicles intercepted for traffic offences including suspended/disqualified driving, mobile phone use, excessive speed, and unregistered vehicles.
• 75 penalty infringement notices issued for road safety enforcement and other traffic offences including mobile phone use, unregistered and speeding offences. There were also several warnings for poor road and pedestrian behaviours.
• Three weapons seized including an ASP baton.
• More than 2,000 contacts made with members of the public including engaging with traders, residents and visitors.
• 11 referrals made to support services for those sleeping rough or experiencing substance abuse issues.

The overwhelming majority of arrests made in the past three weeks relate to shoplifting. This offence remains the most common on Chapel Street, accounting for a third of overall crimes on the strip.

Meanwhile, catching up with people on outstanding warrants as well as reducing drug, weapon and traffic offences, and general poor behaviour were among the key aims for police.

Of note:

• A 40-year-old man was arrested after a foot pursuit on Chapel Street following an alleged theft from a supermarket. It will be alleged he was arrested the next day for another shoplifting offence. He was charged with shoplifting, fail to appear on bail. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 19 October.

• A 26-year-old man from Abbotsford was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident. He was also charged with breaching his bail. He is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 October.

• A drug search in Chapel Street resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old Port Melbourne woman. She was released and is expected to be charged on summons.

• A driver was fined following a vehicle intercept near the corner of Chapel Street and Dandenong Road after allegedly being caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel. Checks revealed the driver was suspended and the vehicle was unregistered.

• A 51-year-old Windsor man was arrested for alleged criminal damage on Chapel St and is expected to be charged on summons.

This intense three-week focus follows over 400 arrests last year on the strip, with more than half of these related to retail theft – which led to a 7.5% drop in overall crime on Chapel Street in 2025.

Efforts similar to Operation Embrace will continue in the future, and the focus on Chapel Street and surrounding areas will remain a priority for local police with several ongoing operations targeting poor behaviour including drug and weapons offences, road safety, shoplifting and public order.

Victoria Police will also continue to regularly engage with local councils and retailers around crime and amenity in the area.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses a crime or antisocial behaviour is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Divisional Commander of Stonnington and Port Phillip, Acting Superintendent Georgie Swinton:

“This was a targeted, intelligence-informed operation focussed on repeat problems where we know occur on almost daily basis.

“As a result, we have seen 75 arrests made, thousands of engagements with the public, and stolen items – including cars – recovered in just a three-week period.

“Our efforts here over the past three weeks don’t end here; this wasn’t just a one-off and we will continue to run proactive patrols and operations along Chapel Street, both day and night.

“Several ongoing dedicated operations will continue to target issues we know the local community is most concerned about, including shop thefts, drugs, road safety and public order.

“We want to ensure that local traders and shoppers feel safe to operate and visit.

“This operation simply solidifies our resolve to ensure the safety for those who live on, work and visit Chapel Street and other local shopping precincts.”

Media Unit
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