Seven people arrested over plans to target high-end retail sector through coordinated national activity

Seven people have been arrested in connection with a national coordinated plan to cause disruption, damage and theft at retail premises.

It is believed the group had been training for non‑violent direct‑action in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country and redistribute them elsewhere.

Working in collaboration with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford this afternoon (Sunday 19 April 2026) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal. They all remain in police custody for questioning.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.

“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.

“We take a strong stance against targeted criminality such as this and I would like to thank our Metropolitan Police colleagues for their assistance.”