Over the course of four days, Saskatoon Police arrested 22 people in their retail blitz operations on Confederation Drive.

Project Shield was conducted on May 7th and 8th and again on May 21st and 22nd around businesses which have been experiencing an increase in crime.

Police say shoplifters have not only become more common but also violent often concealing and/or producing weapons. And the Saskatoon Police Service says their officers encountered exactly that along with aggressive panhandling, intoxicated people and illicit drug use.

Of those arrested, 15 were considered repeat or violent offenders. Three weapons were seized, 19 charges laid, and over $1500 worth of stolen property was recovered. Another retail blitz is being planned for this summer.