By Ian Neubauer
Licensed premises across NSW are being targeted by police in a three-day statewide blitz on street-level crime, anti-social behaviour and public order.
Operation Mega Vikings — as the campaign is called — is an intelligence-driven high-visibility policing operation that began at 8:00am Thursday and ends at 6:00am Sunday.
The operation will be conducted in two phases on each of the nominated days. During phase one, officers will target fingerprint and DNA suspects, high-risk offenders, licensed premises and any associated anti-social behaviour.
The evening or second phase will target crime hotspots, licensed premises, public order, high-risk offenders, bail compliance and street-level criminals.
NSW Police deputy commissioner – field operations, Dave Owens, said considerable resources had been assigned to the operation.
"This is also about reassuring the community police are serious about reducing crime and enabling people to get out and about and enjoy themselves without being subjected to people acting irresponsibly,” he said.
“The message is quite simple: if you engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour, it will not be tolerated and you will be arrested, charged and put before the courts.”