An ongoing Vancouver Police project targeting property crime in downtown Vancouver has resulted in 150 criminal charges recommended to Crown counsel over three months.
“Since December, our patrol officers have been working closely with our partners in retail security around the city,” says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD. “We have a common goal, and that is to target violent property crime offenders and protect retailers from financial loss”.
Since December 2019, police have arrested 26 individuals and have put forward multiple charges to Crown with each arrest. Charges stem from property crime investigations and comprise of Breach of Probation, Theft from Auto, Theft Under $5000, Robbery, Possession of Break-In Instruments, and Possession of Stolen Property.
“Thanks to our partnerships with the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and loss prevention officers at multiple retail stores, we have been able to target repeat offenders who threaten retail staff with violence in committing their crimes,” adds Visintin.
In early December, Vancouver Police expressed concern about the level of violence associated with shoplifting in Vancouver. Patrol officers conducted a special three-week project in November that also targeted shoplifters in downtown Vancouver that resulted in 25 arrests.
Anyone who witnesses crime or suspicious behaviour is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.