partnering with retailers
Operation Sale Gains Traction
Operation Sale, an operation to identify and halt the disposal routes for stolen retail goods, has marked a major breakthrough.
As the operation, the brainchild of the National Business Crime Solution (NBCS), is planning its autumn strategy to get more industry support, it publicised a major breakthrough in a case it had identified in the East Midlands with the support of its retail members.
Head of data and intelligence for the NBCS, Stephen Gray said: “As we begin to plan the next stages of Operation Sale, and as part of our strategy under new management, we wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the work we’re doing with our members to tackle retail stolen goods disposal routes.
“On 10th July 2025, our NBCS Intelligence Team, Leicestershire police, and a fashion member conducted a covert operation targeting a potential handler of retail stolen goods in the Loughborough area.
“The team had received information that the occupants of an address in Loughborough were involved in handling stolen goods from several retailers. A full intelligence package was created on the occupants and officers from the NBCS attended the address and test purchased five items for £60.00 - the retail price of these items was £158.00.
“Leicestershire Police were then engaged and attended the address. A thorough house search was conducted, and officers recovered over £4,000 worth of brand-new stolen clothing from the address. The clothing was identified as belonging to two fashion members, one food member, and one fashion non-member. The occupant had no previous convictions for theft and was subsequently arrested for handling stolen property,”’ he said.
Police are now working through the phones seized as part of the investigation and have some strong intelligence leads regarding the offenders that were involved in stealing the goods.
Stephen added: “This is a great example of how the NBCS wants to help with the collation of intelligence regarding stolen goods, which can be developed and handed to police for proactive and effective corrective action.”
