Effective partnership work with businesses to help police to crack down on retail crime offenders in Nottingham has again been highlighted after officers arrested a man over suspected refund fraud.
Security staff at the Next store at Riverside Retail Park in Electric Avenue alerted police after witnessing suspicious behaviour from a customer.
The man was detained after reports of 173 Nike products totalling more than £17,000 were fraudulently returned for a refund at the Nottingham shop since November last year.
Nottinghamshire Police work closely with national, regional, and local businesses, including Next, as part of its strategy to prevent and reduce retail crime.
This includes working directly with businesses to coordinate tactics and capture evidence and intelligence, identifying, and tackling local and organised retail crime.
Retail crime includes offences against shops and their staff. This typically involves shoplifting, violence and abuse, fraud and cybercrime, criminal damage, burglary, and robbery.
Officers attended the shop at around 8pm on 2 February and arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
During a search, officers seized two mobile phones, bank cards, a package, and clothing tags.
He has been released on conditional bail while investigations continue.
Sergeant Nick Bass, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “As a force, we understand the impact that retail crime has on our businesses, their staff and customers, and our communities.
“Although not always visible to the public, we work very closely with businesses behind the scenes to coordinate tactics, share intelligence, and identify those causing the most harm.
“This helps us to build a clearer picture of offending patterns, develop strategies to disrupt and deter, and bring stronger cases against those targeting businesses.
“It is not victimless and affects hardworking people who just want to go about their daily business.
“Retail crime extends beyond shoplifting, and we have specialist teams to analyse CCTV, online transactions, and bank records, to apprehend the most sophisticated of cyber criminals.
“I want to reassure businesses that we will do all that we can to hold offenders accountable, and we will continue to work in partnership to prevent crime and support staff.
“We would always encourage businesses to remain vigilant, and if something doesn’t seem right, then please report it to us.”
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