Police make 100 arrests during first weeks of Melbourne shopping centre operations
A 15-year-old carrying a hunting knife was among more than 100 arrests during the first few weeks of a police operation at four of Melbourne's biggest shopping centres.
3 hours agoMon 29 Dec 2025 at 8:25pm
Police have been patrolling shopping centres as part of Operation Pulse. (ABC News: Margaret Burin )
In short:
Police have made more than 100 arrests and seized 30 weapons during the first few weeks of Operation Pulse.
The operation targets four of Melbourne's biggest shopping centres — Northland, Highpoint, Eastland and Fountain Gate.
A 15-year-old armed with a hunting knife was among those arrested.
Police say more than 100 people have been arrested in the first three weeks of an operation targeting Melbourne's shopping centres.
The arrests include a 15-year-old carrying a hunting knife, two men fighting with a stolen hammer and two people who stole $800 worth of clothes.
Victoria Police began Operation Pulse on December 8, teaming up with protective services officers (PSOs) to patrol some of Melbourne's busiest shopping centres.
The 90-day operation focuses on Northland, Highpoint, Eastland and Fountain Gate shopping centres as people hit the shops for Christmas and Boxing Day shopping.
Victoria Police said there had been 109 arrests and 30 weapons seized through regular searches and weapons declarations.
The patrols are taking place at four shopping centres, including Northland, where a vehicle ploughed into an entrance earlier this year. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)
On a single day, police seized a baton, a set of knuckle dusters, a dagger and three knives.
A total of 217 offences were recorded during the operation so far, with 75 of those related to theft and stealing from shops.
There have also been multiple incidents of abuse of shop workers, including a woman being evicted from a computer store after she became extremely aggressive and refused to leave.
More than 100 people have been directed to move on from centres and police have issued 41 cautions and 38 penalty notices.
Earlier this year there was a machete brawl involving youth gangs at Northland shopping centre in Preston. (Supplied)
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, Regional Operations, Bob Hill, said the strong police presence will continue.
"With the Boxing Day sales and school holidays underway, Victoria Police is here to keep shoppers and retail workers safe," he said.