RICHMOND RCMP on Monday announced significant results in combating retail theft through their 2024 ‘Boost & Bust’ operations, which they said reflected the success of a comprehensive crime reduction strategy and enhanced enforcement efforts by both frontline officers and the Property Crime Unit (PCU).
In 2024, Richmond RCMP officers responded to 1,704 shoplifting files, a 25% increase compared to 2023. This led to 527 arrests, up 22%, and 266 charges laid, representing a 63% increase from the previous year. Notably, 50% of total arrests resulted in charges in 2024, compared to 38% in 2023, marking a 12% improvement. Richmond RCMP said that these numbers highlight the growing challenge of retail theft and their strengthened efforts to hold offenders accountable.
Over the course of the year, Richmond RCMP conducted a total of 13 ‘Boost & Bust’ operations, resulting in 118 arrests and the recovery of more than $57,300 in stolen merchandise. Of these, frontline officers conducted six operations resulting in 47 arrests. Criminal charges were recommended for 28 of these offenders, while five youth were directed to the Youth Intervention Program. The PCU executed seven additional operations, leading to 71 arrests with criminal charges recommended for 44 individuals.
These operations represent one component of a broader strategy developed through the Detachment Crime Reduction Initiative, where retail theft was identified as an enforcement priority by senior leadership. The PCU has established robust partnerships with Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) and Corporate Security Managers across Richmond’s retail sector, facilitating crucial intelligence sharing about repeat offenders and emerging crime patterns.
“Our multi-faceted approach combines targeted enforcement with prevention and education,” said Staff-Sgt. Gene Hsieh, Major Crime Commander. “By working closely with Loss Prevention Officers and analyzing shared data, we’ve optimized our operations to ensure a consistent police presence during peak offending periods. The significant number of arrests and recovered merchandise demonstrates the effectiveness of this collaborative strategy.”
Richmond RCMP said they have also intensified its visible presence through regular bike and foot patrols in high-risk retail areas, particularly during peak periods. This enhanced uniform presence provides both deterrence and rapid intervention capability.
Crime analysis reveals that most offenders travel from outside Richmond, predominantly using the Canada Line. The recovered merchandise typically includes clothing, electronics, and food items, often indicating potential resale operations.
Beyond enforcement, Richmond RCMP say they continue to work with frequently targeted businesses to enhance their loss prevention strategies, including recommendations for physical security improvements and environmental design modifications to deter theft.
Richmond RCMP encourages businesses and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to police promptly, as comprehensive data collection remains crucial to their targeted enforcement strategy.
