The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD has welcomed the progress made by Gardaí under Operation Táirge, which has resulted in a significant crackdown on retail crime in its first year. Over 8,000 people have been arrested and over 20,000 charges and summons issued over the last 12 months.
Launched in December 2023, Operation Táirge is An Garda Síochána’s national operation targeting organised retail crime. Organised retail crime typically refers to situations where a number of people are acting together. These people target retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market.
Organised retail crime can also involve refund fraud with the purpose of making a financial or material benefit. It is usually a co-ordinated and well-organised crime carried out by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers.
Operation Táirge plays a key role in ensuring retailers and their staff are protected from organised crime and the harm that it can do to their businesses.
Minister McEntee said she is delighted to see that the great work done by Garda members under Operation Táirge has yielded significant results.
“Retail crime is not a victimless crime. It not only has significant economic impacts on our retail sector, but also on staff retention, recruitment and personal safety.
“I have been engaging with retailers across the country and can assure them we will continue to work to tackle organised retail crime," she said.
“A policing response is part of the solution and the work of Operation Táirge is already bearing fruit. I am committed to ensuring our Gardaí have the resources they need to continue this vital work," she concluded.
A total of 8,460 Arrests and 20,052 charges or summons were recorded in association with Operation Táirge between 1 December 2023 and 30 November 2024.
The Operation is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy which aims to reduce the detrimental impact retail crime and criminals can have on retail businesses, and also seeks to support operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing retail theft.
