More than 230 people have been arrested in a crackdown on shoplifting gangs in the capital after Edinburgh was identified as one of the nation’s top retail crime hotspots.
Police Scotland’s “Retail Crime Taskforce” is targeting Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lanarkshire as part of a £3million fightback amidst the country’s “skyrocketing” shoplifting epidemic.
Data shows these three areas are the worst affected after recording the highest levels of retail crime in the country.
Police Scotland say 234 charges have been brought against retail crime offenders since April relating to an estimated £25,000 of stolen goods in Edinburgh alone.
Around £2000 of stolen property has been recovered with an additional “230 offender identifications” having been made across the city.
Police Scotland say another 22 individuals who were wanted on existing warrants have also been arrested by the team.
They say 31 reports have been submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and two court orders have been granted to “ban prolific offenders from specific retail locations”, with three more orders now being sought.
Compared to the sheer enormity of the task, however, the results barely scratch the surface.
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) estimated there were over 1.4 million shoplifting incidents last year, costing retailers more than £150 million.
The SNP’s “soft” approach to justice is said to be fuelling Scotland’s shoplifting epidemic with Police Scotland saying teenagers see it as “low risk/high reward”.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said “retail crime has skyrocketed in recent years”.
The SRC’s most recent Crime Survey shows there were 170 incidents of violence or abuse targeting Scottish shop workers every day last year, with almost 4000 violent attacks having been recorded.
Mr MacDonald-Russell said: “We were delighted that Scottish Ministers listened to our representations and subsequently funded the establishment of the Retail Crime Taskforce.
“However, the reality is the Police are only able to respond to a small number of incidents.
“Increased and sustained funding alongside greater prioritisation is essential to break the cycle of shop worker abuse.”
He added: “It’s heartbreaking so many Scottish workers face the prospect of violence or abuse every day. That is never acceptable and we hope Ministers will continue to up the ante in resourcing Police Scotland to bring these criminals to justice.”
Police Scotland data shows there were 22,806 shoplifting crimes between April 1 and September 30 – an increase of 3605 or 18.8% – and up 60.5% on the five-year average.
They say organised crime gangs are travelling throughout the UK carrying out “high-value and bulk thefts” from retail outlets.
Police Scotland say secondary school pupils are the “second highest” culprits in terms of store thefts as the Scottish Government faces claims of “decriminalising” shoplifting and delivering “soft justice”.
In a force report, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs says high demand at home and abroad for stolen items and cheaper products has made shoplifting an “appealing venture” for those under the age of criminal responsibility, which is 12, as well as the under-25s.
He said evidence shows that in the last five years there has been an increase in the overall number of under 18s turning to shoplifting.
ACC Mairs said: “The increasing cost of living, driven by fluctuations in market prices and supply chain pressures caused by political instability are all likely drivers, with the resulting high demand, domestically and internationally, for stolen items and cheaper products making shoplifting an appealing venture.
“This could particularly apply to those under the age of criminal responsibility and under 25 who will be aware of potential criminal justice outcomes for shoplifting and see it as a low risk/high reward crime.”
The Retail Crime Taskforce works alongside a range of key stakeholders to deliver a four-strand approach to tackling retail crime – prevent, pursue, protect and prepare.
The Taskforce’s Inspector Emma Wright said: “I am really encouraged with the positive start Taskforce officers have made, as they work alongside divisional colleagues to identify retail crime offenders and bring them to justice.
“These results focus on the work achieved in Edinburgh alone, and I am aware of similar good work being undertaken throughout all policing areas of Scotland, either supported by Taskforce funding, completed by dedicated Taskforce officers or utilising intelligence work completed by the team.
“We cannot and will not become complacent, however, and will continue to target those involved in crimes of this nature across the country.
“Whilst the issue of retail crime is a sizable one, we have shown that by using the funding made available and working together, Police Scotland, the retail sector and other key partners can make a real difference, demonstrating that retail crime is not a victimless one and it will not be tolerated.”
Princes Street © 2025 Martin McAdam
Like Loading…
Related