If you've noticed extra boys and girls in blue about town, you may have spotted officers involved in an operation that arrested 32 people on the South Coast recently.
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"Proactive policing" is a strategy that sees uniformed officers out and about in the community to catch crims and deter offending.
South Coast Police District Inspector Ray Stynes said the operation had "fantastic results".
These included 32 arrests on charges related to shoplifting, drugs and weapons, 14 criminal infringement notices issued, and positive interactions with the community.
"The community feel safer when they see the police around, and the people who are offending see the police and don't offend," he said.
"We'd rather prevent crime than react to it. It's more enjoyable, not just for the police but the community as well.
"We're happy to walk around the main street, chat to people and see how their day's travelling, rather than say 'come here pal'."
Inspector Stynes praised the efforts of officers from Nowra and Batemans Bay involved in the operation.
