A specialist national policing unit has made significant progress tackling organised retail crime with 93 arrests made, impacting 28 organised crime groups and high harm individuals collectively responsible for over £4m (£4,060,942) in losses to retail businesses.
The team within Opal (policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime) has been operational since 1 May 2024 and is funded by the Pegasus Partnership, a joint initiative between the Home Office, policing and retailers and spearheaded by PCC Katy Bourne. It facilitates the sharing of intelligence to gain a clearer picture of those who are behind the increase in retail crime.
92 referrals from retailers and organisations have been taken on by the team, impacting on more than 62 businesses. Positive identification has been made of 228 previously unknown offenders, supporting the re-opening of previously closed investigations and new lines of enquiry.
The team has also identified 70 vehicles being used in organised retail crime and affected 28 property seizures, including 14 vehicles. 32 court outcomes have resulted from the 93 arrests made, with prison sentences totalling over 19 years. Five individuals have been deported.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for acquisitive crime, said: “We know organised criminality has a significant impact on retail crime with offenders targeting multiple force areas and multiple retailers in the hope of going under the radar. Our centralised unit means we can build a detailed picture of offending across borders so there is quite literally nowhere for these individuals and groups to hide.
“By working closely with retailers and organisations, like Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, we’re able to support them in gathering intelligence and submitting referrals so we can be even more effective in identifying offenders. Our colleagues in local police forces then do a fantastic job in progressing the investigation, making arrests and bringing charges. It’s a real team effort.”
APCC Joint Lead on business and retail crime, Katy Bourne, added: “After speaking with national retailers who were suffering aggressive assaults on their staff, extensive loss of stock and damage to property, it was clear we needed a stronger relationship between businesses and police if we stood any chance of tackling the organised crime gangs responsible for blighting our high streets.
“With the support of the country’s top retailers, I spearheaded the Pegasus Partnership to work with Opal, the national policing unit responsible for tackling serious acquisitive crime. I’m delighted to see the disruptive impact this intelligence-sharing partnership is already having on those organised crime gangs.
“We must now maintain the momentum in order to keep the public safe, which is why I welcome the £5 million funding boost from the government for the Pegasus Partnership, allowing us to drive forward our urgent work.”
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