Police squad set up to tackle shop theft arrests 93 gang members in seven months

London: A police squad has been on a mission to fight shoplifting, and they’ve made quite an impact. In just seven months, they arrested 93 members of organized crime gangs involved in retail theft.

This initiative, called Operation Pegasus, has targeted 28 crime groups responsible for over £4 million in losses to businesses. That’s a serious dent in the crime wave!

Recent stats show shoplifting is at a 20-year high, with nearly 470,000 offenses reported in the last year alone. That’s a staggering 29% increase from the previous year.

In November, a committee in the House of Lords raised concerns that shop theft is underreported and not being handled effectively. They worry this could shake public confidence in the police.

Operation Pegasus has been proactive, receiving 92 tips from retailers that helped identify 228 offenders who were previously unknown. They’ve even tracked down 70 vehicles used in these crimes.

So far, 32 of the arrested have faced court, and five have been deported. Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman emphasized that they’re focusing on the most prolific offenders spotted in stores daily.

She mentioned that while 93 arrests might seem small, it’s just a fraction of the organized crime they’re mapping out. Offenders often switch locations to avoid getting caught.

Blakeman noted that a wide range of people are involved in these crimes, from organized gang members to individuals struggling with addiction. It’s a complex issue.

She also cautioned shoppers to be wary of unusually cheap items not from retailers, especially during the holiday season. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Paul Gerrard from the Co-op highlighted the positive changes from this crackdown. He stressed that tackling retail crime requires teamwork between businesses and police to keep communities safe.