Operation Lightfingers was conducted from Tuesday to Saturday within Sydney's CBD and at Eastgardens and Broadway.
Police worked with shop security staff from a number of stores to target property theft and fraud offences.
The blitz led to the arrests of 102 people, who were charged with 135 offences, and the recovery of more than $27,000 in stolen goods.
Of those arrested, 20 were charged to appear in court, 30 received field court attendance notices, 35 were given criminal infringement notices and 12 juveniles received formal cautions.
Five other people were issued with warnings in relation to five offences.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said the busy Christmas shopping period usually generated an increase in shoplifting.
"We often see an increase in retail theft and fraud, with thieves attempting to capitalise on increased pedestrian traffic
and busy customer service staff," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Detective Chief Inspector Bell said such opportunistic thieves did not consider an increase in police, security and loss prevention staff over the Christmas period as well as improved surveillance technologies.
"More often than not, we are seeing people get arrested over something relatively cheap and I have to wonder if any item is really worth a criminal record," he said.
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