Hello,
You will have read in previous newsletters about our ground-breaking national policing and retail Pegasus Partnership which I have spearheaded and led.
This week, I'm delighted that the successes of the Pegasus Partnership are being shared through national news platforms.
Thanks to funding provided by 15 of the country’s top retailers, Pegasus has created opportunities for information and intelligence sharing between retailers and police and led to the creation of a dedicated, intelligence and analytical team within OPAL - the national police acquisitive crime unit.
Despite only being operationally live since 1 May, in just seven months, OPAL's work has led to the arrest of 93 members of 28 organised crime gangs who are estimated to be behind more than £4 million worth of shop thefts. It has also secured numerous convictions, with more to come, and seen five people deported.
Importantly, nearly 230 previously unknown offenders and 70 vehicles involved in retail crime, have been identified.
This is the first time that police have mapped and been able to pinpoint the retail crime gangs targeting shops and supermarkets around the country. Prior to this, OPAL had scarce resource and police forces were not easily able to link offences, especially when they occurred outside their own force area, meaning that they had no understanding of the extent of the criminality operating across multiple force areas and retailers. I am pleased with the positive results so far and I will continue to chair our regular Pegasus performance meetings.
With online retail crime becoming a growing threat to retailers, we now need to ensure our virtual shopping spaces are also provided the same protection.
As well as stealing in shops, organised crime gangs can operate digitally, through the sale of stolen and counterfeit goods, particularly in alternative marketplaces. Offenders are able to hide behind fake profiles and accounts causing great harm to businesses and potentially the public, as the goods aren't always the ‘real deal’.
Social media and re-seller platforms have a responsibility to their users to ensure the sales taking place on their websites are legitimate and safe. Similarly, customers need to make sure they understand what they are purchasing online.
It can be difficult to identify stolen goods. However, signs to look out for may include: extremely low prices; no detail on the listing; electrical goods being sold that are password locked; the seller has no reviews; the seller cannot provide proof of ownership; the seller has crossed out serial numbers or barcodes. It’s quite simple really - if you're in any doubt, don't purchase the item.
I will be working closely with Ministers on how we can protect shoppers and businesses from online retail crime and will continue to update you through my newsletter and website.
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