Dedicated Retail Crime Taskforce team established in Glasgow
Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce have set up a dedicated team within Glasgow as efforts to tackle retail crime across the country continue.
The team of five officers will work daily to investigate the most significant incidents of retail crime, including those involving violence or repeat offenders.
In addition, the unit will also work alongside retailers across Glasgow to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance that crimes taking place within stores are being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Superintendent Derrick Johnston from Greater Glasgow Division said: “Since the launch of the Retail Crime Taskforce in April, local officers in Glasgow have worked alongside the unit to tackle offences such as shoplifting and the abuse and harassment of shop workers.
“This has been extremely successful, but to now have dedicated Taskforce resources based within Glasgow means we enhance our enforcement and intelligence-gathering capabilities in relation to retail crime, as well as our ability to carry out prevention work with retailers across the city.
“Having a dedicated Retail Crime Taskforce team here in Glasgow should send a very clear message that such offences will not be tolerated and we are doing everything we can to prevent crime from occurring, while also robustly pursuing those responsible.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Knight, who leads Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce, added: “The remit of the Taskforce is to empower local policing divisions to best tackle retail crime within their areas, and our support takes many forms, including supplying intelligence, visiting retailers within an area to provide crime prevention and security advice, and even funding targeted activity.
“We are delighted to increase our footprint in Glasgow with locally-based Taskforce resources and I have no doubt they will make a significant and beneficial impact to the stores, employees, and wider communities within Greater Glasgow.
“Retail Crime is not victimless and nor will it be tolerated. The Retail Crime Taskforce will continue to support all areas of Scotland address ongoing offences in their area and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
