Police tackling retail crime as part of Safer Business Action Week

Greater Manchester Police is stepping up its efforts to tackle retail crime and support local businesses as it takes part in this year’s Safer Business Action Week.

Organised by the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), the targeted initiatives saw more than 750 arrests made across the country last year, seeing neighbourhood teams, local partnerships, and store security working together to tackle prolific offenders and share best practice. 

Within Greater Manchester, officers will be focusing on hotspot areas, including retail parks, shopping precincts, and town centres. 

Teams will be proactively working to arrest offenders, provide crime prevention advice, and provide reassurance for workers and shoppers alike. 

Retail crime remains a focus for GMP, with teams taking part in multiple days of action throughout the year and reviewing the best ways in which to tackle shoplifting and business-related offences. 

Throughout this week, multiple tactics will be deployed to tackle retail crime, including high-visibility patrolling, visits to stores, and the use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology. 

The LFR deployment is a new tool that officers are utilising to locate those wanted for offences and who are on a pre-set watchlist – with any images taken deleted within seconds. 

Superintendent Cara Charlesworth, GMP’s force lead for retail crime, said: “Safer Business Action Weeks are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work that is being done by teams across every district, and who are committed to cracking down on criminality and protecting our business communities. 

“While there is an intensification and focus this week, action is taken every day with officers securing thousands of arrests and charges every single year. 

“We are continually engage with business across Greater Manchester and this key dialogue is ensuring that stores – whether huge supermarkets or small independent retailers – have access to expert advice and support.”