Are you worried about violent shoplifting having an impact on your Vancouver-based retail store this year? Well, we have both good and bad news for you - both of which show just how important it is to have an effective retail security solution in 2021.
Let’s start with the good news. A month-long crackdown in January and February has resulted in nearly 300 recommended criminal charges against people police allege are violent and prolific shoplifters working in downtown Vancouver.
The initiative, named Project Arrow, resulted in:
- the investigation of 250 shoplifting incidents;
- the arrest of 130 individual offenders;
- the recommendation of 268 criminal charges;
- $37,093 in stolen merchandise recovered and returned to merchants
- and the seizure of 35 weapons.
The bad news is that there’s a reason why the police have taken this action. The initiative was established in response to the growing crime in downtown Vancouver.
In a statement released by the Vancouver Police Department, Inspector Rob Clarke, Operations Division, said: “Last year in the downtown core, VPD saw a 260 per cent increase in shoplifting incidents involving weapons such as bear spray, knives, needles, and guns, when compared to the previous year.”
With the number of violent shoplifting incidents on the rise, it’s more important than ever before that Vancouver retailers properly secure their premises. That’s why, in this blog, Sonitrol Western Canada has listed five key tips that will enhance retail security.