Police arrested nearly 130 people and searched hundreds more during a sweeping crime blitz on Melbourne’s Chapel Street, targeting shoplifters, drug offences and late-night violence. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.
00:00Chapel Street revellers have been swept up in a months-long police blitz, with nearly 130 arrests and sniffer dogs used to root out drugs and stolen goods after a surge in crime around the popular shopping district.
00:16Officers searched bags, pulled over drivers and inspected lines and venues as part of two coordinated operations targeting shoplifters and late-night troublemakers.
00:27One man was caught with meth, knuckle dusters and $18,000 in cash. Police also uncovered prawns, toilet paper and a meat cleaver in an accused shoplifters bag.
00:40The operations are expected to continue across the popular strip, which has seen retail theft surge as cost of living pressures bite.
