Vancouver – The Vancouver Police Department is hosting more than 200 business, law enforcement, and public policy leaders from across the country today, to discuss solutions to organized retail crime and violence impacting small businesses.

“Retailers right across Canada continue to feel the effects of organized thefts and violence, which not only impacts their livelihoods, but also puts staff and customers in danger,” says Inspector Sarah Burnham, commanding officer of VPD’s District 4, which includes Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, Oakridge, and West Broadway.

“Today’s event is for the retail industry, so we can all work together to take action and stop violent retail crime.”

Key metrics:

  • 12% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared to 2023
  • 40% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 in Vancouver’s downtown core compared to 2023
  • 3% increase in robberies (increase is attributed to violent shoplifting incidents across the city)

VPD’s Retail Crime Forum, taking place today at UBC Robson Square, will feature expert panels from law enforcement, retailers, and the security industry. Topics will range from target-hardening and crime prevention, to advanced security techniques, employee safety, and policing strategies.

Panelists will include representatives from individual retailers, business improvement associations, and the Vancouver Police Department, who will discuss the Department’s ongoing Project Barcode investigations, which have resulted to-date in approximately 1,500 arrests since 2023.

“The priority is to make sure Vancouver’s retail businesses thrive in a safe and secure environment,” adds Inspector Burnham. “This forum will provide an important platform to discuss proactive measures and strengthen the partnership between police and the retail community.”

Rui Rodrigues of the Retail Council of Canada agrees.

“The Vancouver Police Department is a great partner and a leader amongst police services when it comes to collaborating with the retail industry,” says Rodrigues. “They proactively create opportunities to support the business community with retail crime.”

“I want to thank VPD for organizing this forum. By bringing together experts and the business community to share information and best practices, they are demonstrating their continued commitment to their community.”

Related:

https://vpd.ca/news/2023/03/29/vpd-makes-217-arrests-in-three-week-shoplifting-crackdown/

https://vpd.ca/news/2023/05/16/vpd-keeps-up-pressure-on-violent-shoplifters/

https://vpd.ca/news/2023/10/27/vpd-makes-258-arrests-in-latest-retail-theft-blitz/

https://vpd.ca/news/2023/12/20/vpd-continues-to-tackle-violent-shoplifters/

https://vpd.ca/news/2024/06/06/vpd-targets-downtown-eastside-fencing-operations/