As part of a week of action which began on Monday 14^th October police will conduct planned operations, engage with local businesses and the community as the public will see high visibility patrols across town and city centres across Northern Ireland.

As part of the proactive approach, officers will be holding Safer Business Action Days (SaBA) to deliver focused operations with patrols, a range of crime prevention activity and the targeted intervention of offenders.

Superintendent Allister Hagan said: “This year, we will be focusing on encouraging businesses to report criminal activity to police, to help tackle some of our most prolific offenders. We are aware that our business community do not always contact police when dealing with this type of offence, but through increased engagement and crime prevention initiatives; we hope this will provide reassurance that our officers are there to help.

‘We want retailers and businesses to engage with police to help us target our approach to reducing business crime’

“Through our local neighbourhood policing officers, we want retailers and businesses to engage with police to help us target our approach to reducing business crime. Under reporting is an issue that police are aware of, but we want all members of our local communities to come forward if they have been a victim of crime or see something suspicious. This information is vital in apprehending offenders, focus resources and ultimately reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We have an extremely diverse range of businesses for shoppers visiting our town and cities. This is one of the key elements that makes Northern Ireland a great place to work, live and socialise. We hope that further businesses will see the potential of making towns and cities across Northern Ireland their home.

“Our towns and cities have some of the lowest crime rates in the UK. We want retailers, businesses and the local community to feel safe when shopping and doing business across Northern Ireland. Working closely with our key stakeholders and partner agencies, we will continue to make towns and cities desirable and prosperous where business crime is not tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”

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Working with a number of partners in the business community, officers spent the day tackling the key issues of business crime in our communities.

Officers across Northern Ireland conducted planned operations including high visibility patrols, proactive activity against offenders, and engaged with local businesses and the public.

“Working alongside our policing partners An Garda Síochána and Belfast Harbour police we conducted 18 vehicle checkpoints, including in Newry and Belfast,” said Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson.

“We also arrested 10 people on suspicion of a number of offences including theft, conducted 14 searches, and issued three community resolution notices (CRNs).

“This follows on from Thursday’s (28^th March) seizure, when detectives from our Organised Crime Branch seized over 20,000 counterfeit Apple items, such as AirPods, Apple chargers and iPhones, in Portadown and Belfast.

“Safer Business Action Days are part of a national month of action to tackle retail crime launched by the National Business Crime Centre. They are an opportunity for us to work alongside our partners to highlight crime prevention initiatives, and increase engagement with local businesses and retail outlets and tackle some of the most prolific offenders.”

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson urged retailers to report offences to police and to reach out to their local neighbourhood and crime prevention officers.

“We know under reporting is an issue in all sectors of business crime. Please let us know if you have been a victim or you see something suspicious happening. Your report helps us target our resources, apprehend offenders and ultimately reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Working alongside our partners in the business community we will continue working to make sure that our towns and cities remain safe, attractive and prosperous places where business crime will not be tolerated.”

For more information on tackling business crime, please click here. 

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