City cops are cracking down and getting tough on shoplifters in Glasgow ahead of the festive period.
More than a dozen officers were part of a Day of Action which the Glasgow Times was given exclusive access to.
Officers revealed that organised gangs use sophisticated tactics to target shops in the lead-up to Christmas to get their hands on items they can resell. One of the worst-hit locations is the Apple store.
"Retail crime is not victimless. It's important to highlight the impact shoplifting has on individuals.
"The fear is very real. The fear of repercussions if challenged, of being followed home, of going to court to give evidence and of being assaulted or abused.
"The cost of living is not the only reason we picked up in the policing service.
"We know we have an issue with serious and organised crime, changes in retail environment, the criminal justice system, peer pressure, opportunism, mental health and addiction."
During the event, at least one man was arrested and one reported to the Procurator Fiscal Service.
Officers started the day by executing arrest warrants in Possilpark and Royston for people who didn't show up to court hearings.
Then, around 20 uniformed and plain-clothed officers took to the streets between Sauchiehall Street and the River Clyde.
Members of the force explained that some perpetrators are first-time offenders but many are part of organised groups.
Some of them pass stolen items around, so even if the shoplifter is apprehended, the evidence is not found.
Superintendent Johnston added: "The demand that retail crime places on policing in Glasgow can often outweigh our capacity and our resources, which is why it's assessed on a threat-harm-risk basis.
"However, the city centre police team has now been supplemented by an additional 12 officers on a full-time basis.
"This will take us to February when there will be more officers added to that team."
Cops rely on a large database of CCTV footage, as well as information from the public and partners.
Retailers Against Crime (RAC), a community interest company set up to prevent crime and violence against shop staff and owners, works with the force and was part of the day of action.
They issue alerts and gather CCTV images from their members, which they can forward to cops.
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"This is how we're able to circulate the intelligence to our members and we provide [Police Scotland] with intelligence too.
"We can also provide them with identification for cases that they've had ongoing for ages.
"Last week, an officer called me and said 'You're my last hope, I really hope that you can ID them' and I did right away. Next time, I hope to be their first call.
"We're proactive and passionate."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a theft from a premises in the St Enoch Square area of Glasgow on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
“A 24-year-old man was charged in connection with a theft from a premises on Buchanan Street in Glasgow on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
"They will both be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.”
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