Police are hailing the success of their new National Retail Investigation Support Unit, which has already led to 1000 retail crime charges being laid against 178 offenders after less than a year of operation.
The unit was formed in May 2022 to address patterns of high-priority repeat retail offending across the country.
It identifies and facilitates the apprehension of the most prolific and harmful retail crime offenders in New Zealand, police say.
Various local businesses have been impacted by retail crime in the past year, including the Ormiston Town Centre, which was ram-raided by groups of youths in two separate high-profile incidents.
The unit’s manager, Matt Tierney, says the charges it’s laid so far is a “significant milestone”.
“Included in this number are the two most prolific retail offenders in the country, who were caught last month and racked up 82 charges between them for the more than $300,000 in theft.
“We are a small unit with three investigators and one intelligence support officer who focus on the worst recidivist offenders. We then work with districts to hold them to account.”
Tierney says the unit is working with the retail sector and crime-prevention organisations to draw on data, identify patterns, and work with local police staff to address repeat offending, and it’s getting results.
“Retail crime costs the sector $1 billion a year and this has a huge impact on our retail communities and the staff confronted with crime when they are working.
“It’s a great feeling to know we’ve laid these charges and stopped these people from causing harm in our communities.”
Police say officers in Auckland and elsewhere are running operations focusing on youth offending and retail crime that “dovetail” with the unit’s work.
They say ‘Operation Rhino’ in Auckland has resulted in significant arrests and seen a corresponding decrease in vehicle thefts.
As of March 9, it had contributed toward 607 prosecutions and 257 youth referrals since January last year.
Meanwhile, the police’s retail crime prevention programme delivers protective equipment, and additional prevention advice for retailers, to reduce the risk of harm.
Police Assistant Commissioner iwi and communities, Chris de Wattignar, says 2352 security interventions have been approved for eligible stores previously ram-raided or the target of an aggravated robbery, and allocated to contractors.
Of these 2,352 interventions, 810 have been completed and invoiced by contractors.
That includes 156 fog cannons, 127 security sirens, 133 alarms, 222 CCTV systems or system upgrades, 65 bollards or similar security measures, 65 roller doors, and 45 other interventions that include improved lighting/strengthened windows.
“We see the distress that retail crime and ram-raid-style burglaries and robberies cause retailers and communities,” de Wattignar says.
“As well as responding to these incidents with significant investigative action, we work closely with retailers on prevention.
“This is a complex matter and Police cannot solve it alone.
“We need a coordinated partnership approach with agencies, communities, iwi, and social service providers working together to prevent this offending.”
