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Glasgow Times
13-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
12 people charged in intense crackdown on Glasgow retail crime
Police Scotland officers were joined by members of Retailers Against Crime (RAC) to tackle a surge in shoplifting. During their "most successful" exercise to date, individuals were charged with offences including shoplifting and drug possession. A team of 31 plain-clothed and uniformed cops, including two from British Transport Police, spent the day on the streets of Glasgow focusing on the most prolific retail crime offenders. (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) READ NEXT: Organised crime gangs travelled to Glasgow to nick designer gear One security officer, who joined the Day of Action, said: 'The overall consensus was that it was a phenomenal day with a real sense of camaraderie and good results in terms of deterring several people from shoplifting. 'I've been involved in the RAC Days of Action for about five years now, I've attended every one and this was the best yet. "They have evolved into something very important and make a real dent in the criminality we see in the city centre, which has increased massively in recent years. 'It gives retailers more confidence to see people getting caught and arrested.' Figures from the British Retail Consortium's annual crime survey released earlier this year highlighted how retail crime is 'spiralling out of control' with 55,000 thefts a day across the UK – an all-time high - and violent and abusive incidents rising by 50% last year. RAC figures also detail how incidents of violent crime are surging, with 1674 reported to the organisation by members during 2024 from a total of 11,890 offences. Stephanie Karté (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) (Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT: Glasgow cops crack down on shoplifting - this store is targeted most Stephanie Karté, national operations manager at RAC, said: 'This was our most successful Day of Action so far with an outstanding turnout from retailers and our partners. "A good number of offenders were prevented from shoplifting and causing anti-social behaviour on the day. 'Days like these are so important and they brought police, security staff and retailers together to build relationships and help fight the ongoing battle against retail crime, which is a substantial problem and can seem extremely overwhelming.' Natasa Wilson, RAC intelligence co-ordinator, added: 'Our latest Day of Action was the best one yet. It reflected the precise planning which goes into the day from us and Police Scotland and the great partnership and support we receive from our members and security companies.' (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) (Image: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital) As part of our series The Cost of Crime, the Glasgow Times previously joined cops and security officers during a day of action in November 2024. They revealed that organised gangs use sophisticated tactics to target shops. We also revealed that between December 1, 2024, and January 8, 2025, 49 people were arrested and taken into custody or charged in connection with retail thefts, with a total of 61 incidents recorded by officers in that period. It comes as a dedicated shoplifting team was established in the city centre.
Scotsman
05-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
The Scottish pubs reopening and revamping near you as Heineken invests £4.5 million
'Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy' – Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Beer giant Heineken is to invest £4.5 million in its Scottish pubs business as part of a £40m UK commitment that is expected to create as many as 1,000 jobs. Amid a challenging backdrop for the sector amid soaring costs, higher taxes and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, the firm has spent some £1.3m reopening four long-term closed Scottish pubs in the last six months - The Howard Arms, Kilmarnock; The New Rhindsdale Tavern at Baillieston; The Scoonie Tavern in Leven and The Station Inn at Braidwood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A further £4.5m is being earmarked for pubs north of the Border under the investment in the Star Pubs division, which will result in an estimated 150 new jobs. Rick Houston at The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock. Picture: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital The group said 28 pubs have been identified for improvements, with 20 of these in line for 'transformational works' costing on average £212,000, subject to recruiting new operators. One of these is Van Winkle on Sandyford Place in Glasgow where a £275,000 revamp is under way to turn it into Gael & Grain, a pub 'celebrating Scottish food, drink and music'. Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs, part of Heineken UK, said: 'We've invested over £1.28m in reopening four long-term closed pubs in Scotland in the last six months alone and they've all had a terrific response from local residents. 'Even with pressures on disposable income, people are still prioritising a trip to their local, valuing it as an everyday treat and as a way of connecting with their community. But they want to be guaranteed a quality experience: relaxing in an attractive setting is an important factor when pubgoers choose where to spend their money. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The vast majority of our pubs are leased by independent operators who run them as their own. Investing in them keeps alive the tradition of individual locals, each with its own unique feel and serving the particular needs of its community.' The exterior of The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock, which has been reopened by Star Pubs. Picture: Mark F Gibson / Gibson Digital He added: 'Star Pubs' licensees in Scotland employ some 2,500 people, support many Scottish suppliers and raise thousands of pounds for local charities and good causes every year. Pubs are the lifeblood of their communities and growth engines for the UK economy, however they are being penalised by a disproportionate tax burden, which we hope will be addressed.' The Howard Arms in Kilmarnock reopened in November after a five-year closure thanks to a £395,000 joint refurbishment by Star Pubs and new licensee Rick Houston, who also runs The Cartvale at Busby. He said: 'The Howard Arms is an iconic Kilmarnock pub. There's a lot of love for it in the town and it had been much missed. We've had a fantastic response to the reopening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Having been closed for five years, the pub needed a complete relaunch to get it back on its feet. A big investment was essential - a lick of paint wouldn't have cut it.'
