Latest news with #OperationDynos
Glasgow Times
21-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Man arrested in Hamilton as part of Police Scotland operation
The 22-year-old was arrested on July 17 in Hamilton, as part of Police Scotland's Operation Dynos. He was then due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following day, July 18. READ MORE: Glasgow Central railway line facing delays amid ongoing emergency incident Operation Dynos is a major initiative targeting retail crime and associated criminal networks. It focuses on disrupting organised crime groups that recruit and exploit vulnerable young people, particularly in the theft and resale of goods such as alcohol to fund further illegal activity in the west of Scotland. READ MORE: Car torched outside homes as police probe deliberate blaze Detective Inspector Vicki Douglas, who leads the operation, said: 'Retail crime is not victimless and in fact, what we've seen are some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities being actively recruited and indoctrinated into the theft and resale of goods from stores in the region by organised criminals for their financial gain. 'We are committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour. 'Operation Dynos will continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to bring these individuals to justice. 'Meanwhile, our colleagues within the Retail Crime Taskforce will work alongside retailers to help enhance security measures and ensure all aspects of crime prevention are considered.' Operation Dynos is supported by [[Police Scotland]]'s Retail [[Crime]] Taskforce, which was established with £3 million in Scottish Government funding for 2025/26.
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Daily Record
Man arrested after 'vulnerable young people exploited to steal alcohol'
Officers believe vulnerable young people are being targeted by organised criminals to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland. A man has been arrested and charged in connection with organised crime and the exploitation of vulnerable young people. An operation to tackle retail offences linked to organised crime was formed following a £3m funding allocation from the Scottish Government to tackle a rise in retail crime across the country. Dubbed 'Operation Dynos', officers working on the probe say they have been "gathering intelligence" over the last couple of months. Following enquiries, officers believe vulnerable young people are being targeted by organised criminals to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland. They say the stolen goods are then resold, with profits being used to purchase drugs and fund further criminal activity within the region. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A 22-year-old was arrested and charged in Hamilton on Thursday as part of the investigation. He was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday. Detective Inspector Vicki Douglas, who leads Operation Dynos, said: 'Retail crime is not victimless and in fact, what we've seen are some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities being actively recruited and indoctrinated into the theft and resale of goods from stores in the region by organised criminals for their financial gain. 'We are committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour. 'Operation Dynos will continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to bring these individuals to justice. 'Meanwhile, our colleagues within the Retail Crime Taskforce will work alongside retailers to help enhance security measures and ensure all aspects of crime prevention are considered.'
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Daily Record
Man charged with 'exploiting vulnerable young people' in retail crime crackdown
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Hamilton in connection with organised crime and exploitation of young people through Operation Dynos. A man has been charged with 'exploiting vulnerable young people' as cops crackdown on retail offences linked to organised crime. Following enquiries through Operation Dynos, officers believe that vulnerable young people are being targeted by organised criminals to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland. The stolen goods are then resold, with profits being used to purchase drugs and fund further criminal activity within the region. On Thursday, July 17 a 22-year-old man was arrested in Hamilton in connection with organised crime and exploitation of young people. He was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, July 18. Operation Dynos is funded by Police Scotland's Retail Crime Taskforce, which was formed following a £3m funding allocation from the Scottish Government for the year 2025/26 to tackle a rise in retail crime across the country. Officers working as part of the ongoing operation have been gathering intelligence over the last couple of months. Detective Inspector Vicki Douglas, who leads Operation Dynos, said: 'Retail crime is not victimless and in fact, what we've seen are some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities being actively recruited and indoctrinated into the theft and resale of goods from stores in the region by organised criminals for their financial gain. 'We are committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour. 'Operation Dynos will continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to bring these individuals to justice. 'Meanwhile, our colleagues within the Retail Crime Taskforce will work alongside retailers to help enhance security measures and ensure all aspects of crime prevention are considered." And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
STV News
21-07-2025
- STV News
Man charged as part of investigation into organised crime and child exploitation
A man has been charged as part of a police operation into the exploitation of vulnerable children by organised criminals. Officers working as part of Operation Dynos, tackling retail crime, arrested a 22-year-old man in Hamilton on July 17. Police believe that vulnerable young people are being targeted by organised criminals to steal alcohol from stores across the West of Scotland. The stolen goods are then resold, with profits being used to purchase drugs and fund further criminal activity within the region. Operation Dynos received £3m in funding from the Scottish Government for 2025 and 2026 amid a concerning rise in retail crime. The man was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on July 18. Detective inspector Vicki Douglas, who leads Operation Dynos, said: 'Retail crime is not victimless and in fact, what we've seen are some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities being actively recruited and indoctrinated into the theft and resale of goods from stores in the region by organised criminals for their financial gain. 'We are committed to tackling retail crime, while at the same time safeguarding young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour. 'Operation Dynos will continue to gather evidence and utilise all resources at our disposal to bring these individuals to justice. 'Meanwhile, our colleagues within the Retail Crime Taskforce will work alongside retailers to help enhance security measures and ensure all aspects of crime prevention are considered.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Vulnerable youngsters made to steal booze for black market as police probe gang who forced Scots teens to carry out 1,500 shop raids
Teenagers in Scotland are being groomed by an organised criminal gang and forced to carry out a massive spate of robberies. Police have now launched a major operation to hunt down the gang which is believed to be behind an astonishing number of raids – more than 1,500 in the past year. In a shocking example of exploitation, the ruthless gang leaders are recruiting vulnerable youngsters and ordering them to rob supermarkets and convenience stores. Typically, the young thieves are told to steal beer, wine and spirits for resale on the lucrative black market. The Mail can reveal Police Scotland is targeting the industrial- scale criminal enterprise in a crackdown called Operation Dynos. Scotland's retailers are facing an unprecedented crimewave, with record numbers of thefts and attacks on shopkeepers and staff. Meanwhile a child protection charity said growing numbers of young people are being exploited by criminals – and warned families to watch out for tell-tale signs. Police Scotland said it is working with shops to track down the gang and bring them to justice. Detective Superintendent Neil McDonald, the force's lead for acquisitive crime, said: 'Operation Dynos is addressing concerns of youths being exploited and encouraged to become involved in criminal activities. 'The current focus is on the organised theft by shoplifting of alcohol for resale and associated offences of disorder and violence, predominantly committed across the west of Scotland. 'In the last year, those linked to these offences have been responsible for 1,533 crimes, mostly the theft of alcohol, equating to around £166,560. 'Work is ongoing to gather intelligence, carry out enforcement activity and bring offenders to justice, while also supporting stores to enhance security.' The gang is thought to be cynically recruiting under-18s in the belief that young people are less likely to be suspected of crime –and, even if they are caught, will probably be treated more leniently by the criminal justice system. Earlier this year annual crime statistics showed an 18 per cent rise in shoplifting cases, with over 43,000 reported incidents. In a recent survey by the Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF), 83.5 per cent of shopkeepers reported experiencing an increase in violence towards shop staff. Stores also revealed that they lost an average of nearly £20,000 a year to theft and vandalism. SGF chief executive Dr Pete Cheema said: 'Retail crime is now endemic, and it's appalling that young people and children are being exploited by an organised group to carry out these crimes. 'What makes matters worse is that in many cases there is very little consequence for the perpetrators.' David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, added: 'Soaring rates of shop theft are a scourge on communities across Scotland and a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards store workers. 'The financial cost pushes up prices for shoppers and undermines the health of our high streets. 'We wholeheartedly back the police's efforts to bear down strongly on the proliferation of thefts by organised criminal gangs who target retailers.' Barnardo's Scotland said criminal exploitation of young people is a growing problem. The charity's director, Martin Crewe, said: 'Children who are forced to commit crimes are often coerced, threatened and made to feel like there's no way out. 'We know that children who are not in school or living in poverty are at greater risk. 'Parents and carers should be alert to signs such as unexplained money or items, changes in behaviour, going missing, or being found in unfamiliar places. 'If you're worried, speak to your child without judgment and seek support from professionals.' Police Scotland received £3m from the Scottish Government for 2025-26 specifically to tackle the ongoing rise in retail crime.
