A joint police operation in Surrey's city centre led to 25 arrests and over $3,000 in stolen merchandise returned to local businesses.
On Thursday (Dec. 12), the Surrey Police Service (SPS), Metro Vancouver Transit Police, and the Delta Police Department targeted shoplifters in Whalley. Police partnered with businesses and loss prevention officers in the area for the "boost and bust" shoplifting project.
As a result, 25 people were arrested, including two who were wanted on outstanding warrants. BC Prosecution Service laid 27 charges in connection to the "boost and bust," according to a police press release. Police also seized a replica firearm, four hunting knives and two cans of bear spray.
Surrey has seen a 15 per cent increase in shoplifting in 2024, with over 3,800 shoplifting incidents reported.
"In 2022 there were 2,596 reported shoplifting incidents; and in 2023 that number had increased to 3,314, a 28% increase," reads an SPS release.
SPS media liaison Ian MacDonald said in a news release, “Shoplifting incidents often do not simply involve theft from businesses and the commensurate loss of product and inconvenience, they also can present risks to staff and customers at the retail locations."
Acting Insp. James Sandberg, public affairs manager for the Delta Police Department, said in a news release that the project was an "effective collaboration," and DPD looks forward to working with Surrey Police Service and Metro Vancouver Transit police again.
“Participating in joint projects with other police agencies increases law enforcement effectiveness, cross-trains officers, and builds a solid foundation of cooperative problem-solving. Officers learned new investigative skills from each other, processed several arrests, and returned stolen items to businesses,” Sandberg said.
