GMP supporting Safer Business Action week with crime-tackling plans across the force

Today marks the National Business Crime Centre's (NBCC) Safer Business Action Week (SaBA Week) and teams across GMP have a stacked calendar of events as they continue to crack down on retail crime and develop stronger links with retailers and workers in their respective areas.

The focus on retail crime will see neighbourhood teams deploy across their area to undertake a wide range of actions; patrolling hotspots such as retail parks and precincts, meeting with local retailers, arresting suspects, holding informative stalls in town centres, and promoting various ongoing campaigns.

The work will see GMP come together with local partners, private security, store management, and specialist teams within the force to maximise the impact of the work throughout the course of the week.

While direct action will be a focus, with officers ready to make arrests for offences committed this week as well as those of people wanted in connection with crimes, prevention remains a key staple of GMP’s approach to problems.

This includes looking at the reasons why people shoplift, and utilising the necessary resources to stop this, including working with substance abuse and homeless charities, signposting to services, and tying in with local councils’ efforts on the issue.

Shoplifting and retail crime is an issue that GMP is committed to tackling and various resources and plans have been put in place as officers continue to produce good work across the force.

This year, achievements have included a significant increase in arrests and solved / positive outcomes, and continuing engagement with business communities including a retail crime steering meet, where teams have been able to share best practice.

Chief Inspector Cara Charlesworth, GMP’s force lead for retail crime, said: “We regularly support SaBA days and weeks of action in conjunction with the NBCC and this month there will be no exception – teams across the entirety of Greater Manchester will be out tackling all manner of retail crime, and raising awareness of problem-solving methods within the community.

“Stronger bonds with partners and stores enable us to have smoother processes when it comes to tackling shoplifting. Interconnected radios for example, which means security can get in touch with officers straight away, means faster response times and quicker lock-ups. Likewise, by working with charities, we can prevent the crime from occurring in the first place by aiding vulnerable people.

“I would urge any retailers who have had issues to please get in touch with your local team and to report any crimes that occur. I fully understand and appreciate the issues that shoplifting among other things can bring to businesses, and your local team can look at how to go about solving the issue.”