Six weeks on from the launch of Taskforce Respect to target anti-social behaviour and retail crime in Glenorchy, police are expanding operations to identify and recover stolen property.

It comes as new data from Tasmania Police shows a 16 per cent fall in total offences in the Glenorchy division for the past 12 months, including a reduction in youth offending.

Members from Taskforce Respect recently executed two search warrants in the Glenorchy area, with thousands of dollars in stolen property recovered.

Police also seized a quantity of methylamphetamine, two gel blaster firearms, a laser pointer and an extendable baton, among other items.

Glenorchy Police Inspector Jason Klug said Taskforce Respect – with its focus on high visibility policing and community engagement through foot patrols – had made a positive impact in the city’s CBD and retail areas.

This is supported by Tasmania Police data to the end of the financial year which shows total offences in the Glenorchy division are down.

There were 4578 total offences in the 2023-24 financial year, compared with 3848 total offences in the 2024-25 financial year.*

Youth offences in 2023-24 were 928 and fell to 731 in 2024-25, a reduction of 21 per cent.

There were 135 public place assaults in 2023-24 compared with 124 public place assaults in 2024-25, a reduction of 8 per cent.

(*Media please note: The number of offenders is not a count of unique people. Offenders involved in multiple offences will be counted multiple times.)

Community and business members have reported a reduction in anti-social behaviour and retail crime, Inspector Klug said.

Multiple charges of stealing, unlawful possession of property, minor drug offences and people carrying a dangerous article in a public place have been brought against alleged offenders.

While conducting foot patrols in the Glenorchy CBD in the past week, members of Taskforce Respect issued nine formal directions to people committing offences or displaying anti-social behaviour.

“The initial phase of our taskforce was high visibility interactions with all members of the community, including those that offend,” Inspector Klug said.

“The intent was to increase a feeling of safety in our public spaces while holding offenders, and recidivist offenders in particular, to account. The taskforce is now evolving to include searches to locate stolen property items and charge those people who may receive these items after they have been stolen.”

In its first month of operation, Taskforce Respect issued 35 formal directions for people to leave popular public areas because they were either committing offences or displaying anti-social behaviours.

The taskforce would like to thank the local community for their positive comments and assistance in reporting matters to police.

“We receive many favourable comments and correspondence noting the community’s appreciation. We encourage the community to approach our members and say hello,” Inspector Klug said.

If you have information on a crime, call police on 131 444 or call 000 (triple zero) if it is an emergency.

You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au