Following the release of the Government’s white paper on its improvements to tackling crime in the UK, retailers across the country will see a major crackdown on organised crime gangs thanks to a £7m investment aimed at “dismantling criminal networks from the ground up,” it said.
The new funding will “supercharge intelligence-led policing to identify offenders, disrupt the tactics used to target shops and bring more criminals to justice,” it added.
The latest investment includes £5m to fund Operation Opal, a national policing intelligence unit, strengthening the national response to retail crime by targeting prolific offenders and supporting forces across the country.
Operation Opal brings together analysts, researchers and specialist officers to generate national intelligence. Any business that has faced the devastation of retail crime gangs can refer itself to Opal, who will work hand-in-hand with retailers to develop intelligence and prevention activities to target offenders.
Last year, it secured 128 arrests resulting in 90 years’ worth of jail sentences, leading to a 73% reduction in offending by criminals who were referred to the police by business owners under the scheme.
In one instance, twin brothers known for fraud and committing knife-point robberies were identified. While intelligence checks led to the arrest of one brother immediately, the other travelled extensively to commit further crimes. Under Opal, officers tracked his movements and planned strike days with various police forces, resulting him being sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
A further £2 million will go to the National Business Crime Centre to bolster joint work between police and businesses, improving prevention, sharing expertise, and building safer environments for retail workers.
Paul Gerrard (left), director for campaigns, public affairs and policy at Co-op said: “Co-op is focussed on backing British high streets and communities and welcomes the Government’s funding to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal gangs behind significant levels of retail crime.
”Local stores play a vital role in communities and we’ll continue to work with government to do all we can to protect them.”
“Retail crime levels have reduced at Co-op during 2025 - in tandem with our significant investment in security measures we know that where police work with retailers to develop intelligence-led prevention activities and target prolific offenders, it works. Local stores play a vital role in communities and we’ll continue to work with government to do all we can to protect them.”
Minister for crime and policing, Sarah Jones (right), added: “For too long, organised crime gangs have taken advantage of defenceless retailers, faced no consequences of their cruel actions and known that police forces may not always attend in time to catch them.
“My message to them is simple - there is nowhere to hide now. By investing in intelligence-led policing, we’re supporting retailers who had their livelihoods ripped apart and felt they had nowhere to turn to, and ensuring they see justice served against vile criminals and their tactics.
“With police working with retailers themselves, more gangs will be dismantled and retailers will be much safer in their workplace – as they always should have been.”
To strengthen relationships with local retailers, the National Police Chiefs’ Council will receive a further £100,000. This will also include sharing of case studies and examples of how to approach retail crime concerns.
This cash injection follows the announcement of a new National Police Service to allow local police forces to focus more on their areas. It will lift administrative tasks off local police forces, so that local officers are focused on policing neighbourhoods.
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