SEVEN teenagers have been charged following an operation focused on preventing and disrupting crime in Tamworth.

Officers attached to Oxley Police District, under Operation Soteria, conducted a three-day operation from Thursday, March 5 to Saturday, March 7, assisted by specialist officers from Operations Support Group, Youth Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol and the Dog Unit to target and reduce crime in the Tamworth area.

Across the operation, 140 random breath tests were conducted, 85 random drug tests and 25 infringement notices were issued.

On Tuesday, three break-and-enters allegedly occurred in the greater Tamworth area.

The first at Waree Drive, Hillvue, John Street, South Tamworth, and Woodside Road, East Tamworth.

Following inquiries, at about 8am on Friday 6, police attended Lambert Street, West Tamworth, to execute a search warrant.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station where he was charged with enter lands with intent to commit indictable offence, aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

He was also charged with breaching his bail conditions.

He was refused bail and appeared before a Children’s Court on Saturday.

At about 2am on Saturday, police were patrolling Grant Street, South Tamworth, when they located a group of five youths.

Three were stopped, while the remaining two were found hiding behind a car.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested for breach of bail and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

He was refused bail and appeared before a Children’s Court on Saturday 7.

Two boys aged 9 and 13, and two girls aged 11 and 12, were returned home.

At about 3am, a Toyota Corolla was allegedly stolen from a property on Bourke Street, Tamworth.

About half-an-hour later, police were patrolling Werris Creek Road at Warral, and located the vehicle crashed on the side of the road.

Five teenage boys — two aged 13, and the others aged 14, 15 and 16 — were located nearby.

All five were arrested for take/drive conveyance without consent and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

They will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

At about 4am the same day, a GWM Tank was allegedly stolen from Dowell Avenue, North Tamworth. A short time later, police attempted to stop the vehicle on Parry Street.

However, when it failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued through the Tamworth area before being terminated due to safety concerns.

The vehicle was located unattended a short time later in Hillvue.

Investigations under Operation Soteria continue.