Safer Business Week: Friday the 13th - Unlucky for shoplifters

Safer Business Week: Friday the 13th - Unlucky for shoplifters

As part of Safer Business Week, Neighbour Taskforce officers have been continuing to carry out proactive patrols and targeted operations around some of our most affected retail locations, working closely with local businesses to tackle shoplifting and retail crime.

Yesterday despite a slow start to the day, officers remained committed to disrupting offenders and protecting local businesses. That persistence paid off when information shared by our business partners highlighted a suspect believed to be linked to a series of shoplifting and fraud offences across the country, with losses estimated at around £15,000 from a major high street retailer.

Working together with retail partners, plain-clothed officers and marked patrol units, officers monitored the activity of the suspect and two associates. Their suspicious behaviour led to the identification of a vehicle linked to the group. Further enquiries revealed connections to additional shoplifting investigations elsewhere in the county, and officers were able to confirm links to the wider fraud offences.

The vehicle was stopped and all three suspects were arrested on suspicion of theft, fraud and other related offences.

Subsequent searches and enquiries uncovered further evidence suggesting a wider pattern of offending, including suspected fraud involving multiple retailers and the recovery of a substantial quantity of goods valuing into the thousands of pounds. 

Our work to support local businesses did not stop there. Today, neighbourhood and response officers continued to take action against prolific offenders, arresting three further suspected shoplifters in connection with four separate thefts from local stores, including:

Officers were also present in one of our main retail centres engaging with members of the community, providing a high-visibility presence and raising awareness of business crime and My Community Voice. 

Retail crime has a significant impact on businesses, staff and the wider community. By working closely with our business partners, sharing information and taking proactive action against offenders, we are committed to making our town centres safer places to live, work and shop.