An Garda Síochána has launched a new initiative aimed at tackling increasing levels of retail theft and organised retail crime (ORC).
It follows a 14% increase in incidences of such offences so far this year, to 29,000.
Retail theft costs the sector €1.6 billion every year, according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.
While the Global Retail Theft Barometer shows that Ireland has the highest cost per capita of retail crime, at €339.31.
Modelled on Operation Thor, which targeted burglaries, Operation Táirge will use an intelligence-led approach to identify criminals who are involved in retail crime.
It also aims to disrupt the most active gangs involved in retail theft, including international groups, who are temporarily coming into the country to carry out coordinated thefts from retailers.
The nationwide operation will also provide support to retailers to improve their security to prevent them becoming victims and also encourage them to report crime that takes place on their premises.
Gardaí have developed a reporting tool that will direct it towards retail theft hotspots around the country and help identify prolific offenders.
Operation Táirge also aims to identify and target areas where organised retail crime black markets operate, as well as their leadership.
Launching the operation, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said retail crime is not a victimless one and impacts those concerned both financially and psychologically.
It can also affect recruitment and retention and create concerns around the personal safety of those working in the industry, she added.
"That is why we are, to make sure that you as retailers have the support that you need, but also we are determined to make sure that those who are responsible for these crimes that they are held accountable for their actions," she said.
She said it is hoped that it will prove as successful as Operation Thor and that those who are the most prolific offenders are facing the full rigors of the law and that gardaí have the full tools available to respond.
Also speaking at the launch, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said the problem is occurring right across the country and so the response would be a national one too.
She said there had been a collaborative partnership approach with partners in the retail sector and within An Garda Síochána to bring about a deliberate and meaningful cooperation around information sharing.
She added that the initiative had been borne out of engagement at the garda retail forum.
Chief Superintendent of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said that the benefit of this initiative was that it would allow information on trends from retailers to add to information gathered during policing incidents.
Padraic Jones said that the feedback from retailers was that this is a challenge and members of the public can also be at risk of breaking the law even if they are accidentally handling or possessing goods that may be stolen.
He said that such crimes have been increasing nationally and required orientated policing.
The campaign was about raising awareness internally, but also externally with the public and retail sector that this is a crime type that the gardaí are taking seriously, he said.
