THE Richmond RCMP Bike Unit arrested 58 individuals and recovered nearly $29,000 in alleged stolen property between November 2023 and May 2024. These arrests stemmed from various offenses, including shoplifting and outstanding warrants. Most recovered items were clothing and food.

“Regardless of weather, our bike officers are diligently patrolling the downtown core,” says Staff-Sgt. Paula Maan, NCO-in-charge of the Bike Unit. “Using bikes allows officers to access areas that might otherwise we unreachable by vehicle. This mobility leads to more arrests and recovery of stolen goods.”

Richmond RCMP Bike Unit was established in response to a significant increase in retail theft observed in October 2023. The Bike Unit was established as a part-time team deployed during peak occurrence times to combat retail theft. This unit is a critical part of Richmond RCMP’s new initiatives aimed at combatting this crime trend.

Richmond RCMP Bike Unit employs intelligence-led policing, utilizing current crime trends to guide proactive patrols. Richmond RCMP encourages local businesses and residents to report suspicious activities. “Your vigilance and timely reporting are essential in helping us effectively deter and address retail theft,” say police.

The success of these operations underscores the value of community-police collaboration and the City of Richmond’s support, police add.