A business owner at Help's at Hand: Tech, Admin and Branding Support in Dartford, Kent. A virtual assistant business covering London and the southeast. 👀 linktr.ee/Helps.uk
It's encouraging to hear that Operation Opal, the new centralised police unit, is beginning to make headway against organised shoplifting gangs. 👏 Retail theft has long been a significant burden, particularly for small business owners who often feel the impact more acutely than larger chains. With shoplifting offences reaching a 20-year peak of 443,995 reported incidents leading up to March 2024—a staggering 30% increase from the previous year—it's clear that this is more than just a minor inconvenience. It's a severe threat that affects profitability, employee morale, and the overall viability of many businesses. 😟 Each incident can be debilitating for small retailers, leading to financial loss and increased stress. Operation Opal's identification of 152 prolific shoplifters in just three months is a promising start. This initiative must continue to gain momentum, not only to protect retailers but also to restore confidence in the high street. Collaboration between the police, retailers, and the community ensures that this progress leads to lasting change. 🤝 We should celebrate this positive step forward and hope it marks the beginning of a more secure environment for all retailers. In this environment, the focus can return to serving customers rather than constantly guarding against theft, which may, in turn, save consumers money. 💪🛍️
Police chiefs have insisted that a new centralised police unit established this year is beginning to “turn the tide” against prolific shoplifters used by gangs. https://lnkd.in/eiwkWHfw #retailnews #shoplifting
