The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed a proactive approach to combating business crime across the region following the conclusion of Safer Business Action Week, which ran from Monday, 10th November until Sunday, 16th November.

Throughout the week of action, police officers executed searches, conducted mobile patrols, and made a number of arrests across Northern Ireland while dedicating time to engage directly with the retail and business community.

Local results for the concentrated effort included:

• Belfast saw 20 dedicated patrols and a total of seven arrests.

• Mid Ulster officers successfully made four arrests.

• Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in areas such as Magherafelt, Cookstown, Torrent, and Dungannon scheduled time to visit and engage with local businesses and workers in shopping areas.

• Lisburn and Castlereagh saw an increase in foot and mobile patrols throughout the district.

A key focus of the week was offering advice, with dedicated patrols engaging with the business community, including guidance on Safeshop, which equips business owners with specialised skills to help keep themselves and their premises secure. Crime Prevention Officers worked in collaboration with both NPTs and PCSPs (Policing and Community Safety Partnerships) to arrange and attend various engagement events across the districts.

Speaking after the initiative, Police Service of Northern Ireland Business Crime Lead Superintendent Allister Hagan said: "It is extremely encouraging to see the business community across Northern Ireland engage with police to deliver positive results during Safer Business Action Week."

Superintendent Hagan noted that officers maintained a visible policing presence and hosted pop-up clinics to educate and inform retailers across Northern Ireland about criminal activity. The PSNI worked in close partnership with key stakeholders to identify offenders and address issues such as anti-social behaviour and theft, expressing gratitude for the "unwavering support" received from the business community.

While the action week has concluded, Superintendent Hagan stressed that the police activity targeting business-related crime would not cease. He confirmed the PSNI will "continue to hold crime prevention initiatives and activities, as well as apprehend offenders and reduce the fear of crime across our towns and cities."

He also urged retailers to help police tackle the issue of underreporting of business-related crime:

"We are aware there is underreporting of business related crime, so we would encourage retailers and business owners to contact police if they feel their staff are victims of criminal activity. If a member of staff has been either physically or verbally assaulted, please get in touch with police so these offences can be robustly investigated."

The information gathered during the week will now be utilised to better focus resources as the busy Christmas trading period approaches, with the ultimate goal of making towns and cities across Northern Ireland a safer place to "live, work, socialise and do business."