City police in Glasgow are taking a tough stance on shoplifters as the holiday season approaches. The Glasgow Times had exclusive access to a Day of Action where over a dozen officers were involved.
During this operation, it was revealed that organised criminal groups use sophisticated methods to target stores before Christmas to steal items that can be resold. One of the most targeted locations is the Apple store.
Superintendent Derrick Johnston emphasized the seriousness of retail crime and its impact on individuals. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime as it instills fear in people, such as the fear of being followed home, going to court, or facing assault.
Factors contributing to this issue include serious and organized crime, changes in the retail environment, the criminal justice system, peer pressure, opportunism, mental health, and addiction.
Arrests were made during the Day of Action, with one man arrested and another reported to the Procurator Fiscal Service. The operation began with executing arrest warrants in Possilpark and Royston and continued with officers patrolling from Sauchiehall Street to the River Clyde.
Perpetrators range from first-time offenders to members of organized groups who pass stolen items around to avoid detection even if one member is caught.
To tackle this issue, the city center police team has been reinforced with an additional 12 full-time officers. The police rely on CCTV footage, public information, and collaboration with partners like Retailers Against Crime (RAC) to combat retail crime.
RAC works closely with the police, sharing intelligence and CCTV images to aid in investigations. The organization plays a vital role in preventing crime and violence against shop staff and owners.
Stephanie Karte, national operations manager at RAC, highlighted the strong partnership with the police, emphasizing proactive measures to combat shoplifting and support ongoing investigations.
Police Scotland confirmed the arrest and charging of individuals in connection with thefts from premises in the St Enoch Square and Buchanan Street areas of Glasgow.
Overall, the crackdown on shoplifting in Glasgow underscores the collective effort to address retail crime and ensure the safety and security of businesses and the community during the upcoming festive season.
