Specialist police unit takes down criminal gangs behind retail crime

• National intelligence unit sees 257 arrests for organised retail crime in first two years of operation
• 73 percent reduction in offending by organised crime groups referred into the unit
• More than 118 years’ worth of prison sentences handed out

Hundreds of arrests have been made and a series of criminal gangs disrupted by policing’s national intelligence unit set up to work in partnership with retailers to tackle organised retail crime (ORC), new figures show.

Funded by the Home Office and the Pegasus Partnership – a collaboration between retailers and policing – the ORC team within Opal (policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime) collects and coordinates intelligence from retailers and police forces.

Since the unit was launched two years ago in May 2024, it has supported 203 referrals from retailers and police forces, resulting in 84 operations being carried out to tackle organised crime gangs targeting the retail sector.

A total of 605 offenders have been identified and tens of thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods recovered, resulting in 257 arrests, 118 years’ worth of imprisonments and 22 deportations.

Stephanie Coombes, Head of Intelligence for Opal, said:

“Opal discovers, develops and co-ordinates intelligence at a local, regional, national and international level, to provide a comprehensive understanding of threat, harm and risk posed by serious organised acquisitive (SOAC) crime by organised crime groups (OCGs).

“Two years ago, we launched the first national dedicated organised retail crime (ORC) intelligence capability within policing as part of the Pegasus Partnership, which encompassed a range of partners including law enforcement, industry, academia and government representatives.

“The team takes referrals from retailers of any size, whether they are part of the Pegasus Partnership or not, and will work in different ways to develop intelligence. This could be as simple as identifying an offender, linked offenders and/or vehicles through the Police National Database, looking at patterns of offending and MO’s which are repeated and working with retailers to share information packs about prolific offenders.

“The team will then support police forces through an investigation, sharing intelligence, but also working with the Crown Prosecution Service and additional agencies as required.  

“Of the OCGs we have identified and monitored through our work, we have seen a 73 percent reduction in offending throughout the last year, demonstrating a clear impact in disrupting these high-harm networks.”

Last year, the Home Office announced significant funding to combat retail crime though various initiatives, including £5million to fund Opal’s ORC unit until March 2028.

Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for acquisitive crime, said:

“I am grateful for the government’s investment in tackling retail crime. This significant funding is enabling us to build on the successes of the last two years, as well as grow the team to focus on disrupting those at the top of the OCG hierarchy, targeting the disposal of goods and the threat on supply chains.

“The work of Opal is crucial in providing support to police forces so they are not working in isolation and can better work with retailers to tackle those offenders who are operating across the country and causing the most harm.

“Partnership and collaboration are vital in our fight against retail crime, policing cannot do this alone and through the Pegasus Partnership we have built strong relationships and information sharing which enables us to target resources where they are needed most.”

The Pegasus Partnership, which was spear-headed by PCC Katy Bourne, was set up in October 2023 to improve cross-agency working through better information sharing, best practice and upskilling.

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Two years from its launch, the Opal team has delivered some significant blows to organised retail crime gangs. This unique national intelligence unit has shown just what police can achieve by being bold, thinking differently and working in partnership with the retail industry.

“I am delighted that the commitment and support we received from retailers has paid off, with a huge reduction in crimes against the sector and an excellent picture of the crime gangs causing the highest harm.

“From my very first meeting of our Pegasus Partnership it was clear that police and retailers needed to collaborate much more closely and share vital information to understand the threat from organised retail crime gangs and how to disrupt them.

“Pegasus provided the leadership, initiative and funding to shake up our approach to retail crime - and the Opal team is delivering the results.

“I hope the Government will focus on its promise to fund Opal into the future so it can continue its groundbreaking work.”