The Edinburgh Retail Crime Task Force have been carrying out plain clothes patrols across the city to tackle retail crime and target those who commit shoplifting. In recent weeks they have arrested 14 persons for a variety of offences including theft by shoplifting, protection of retail worker offences, possession of bladed articles, bail offences, reset and several were also wanted on a number of arrest warrants. Two males have received custodial sentences for 6 and 4 months for retail offences and three others have been remanded pending further court appearances. 

We have been working with local officers and partners including Essential Edinburgh, Trading Standards and security teams from various retailers who have all supported our enquires, assisting in identifying and apprehending suspects. Shoplifting is #NotAVictimlessCrime, we know how harmful and impactful it can be to retailers and staff, and the #RetailCrimeTaskForce are dedicated to tackling this. Please report any information you have on retail crime or the resetting of stolen property to the police or anonymously via #Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org