Operation Opal has identified over 600 suspects and recovered tens of thousands of pounds worth of stolen gear resulting in 257 arrests and 22 deportations
Andrei-Theodor Cretu was jailed as part of the operation(Image: Humberside Police)
Hundreds of shoplifters have been arrested by a centralised police unit set up two years ago to target organised crime gangs making millions from retail theft.
The team at Operation Opal have identified 605 offenders, recovered tens of thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods, resulting in 257 arrests.
So far in total those convicted have been jailed for 118 years while 22 criminals were deported. The unit was set up after police forces and retailers came under fire over a lack of enforcement against shoplifting.
It comes after the British Retail Consortium warned in February that criminal gangs are “systematically” targeting shops, with 5.5m incidents of shoplifting detected last year, costing the industry an estimated £400m.
The Opal team collect and analyse CCTV footage, as well as crime reports, dashcams and other evidence from all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
Among the serial offenders were Nicolae Boia who was filmed as he was arrested in Hounslow, West London, after officers established he was part of a gang behind 120 crimes across the UK. Boia was later sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison.
Another was Andrei-Theodor Cretu who stole in excess of £78,000 worth of items from stores up across the country. Cretu, 27, and Elena Gugulan, 31, toured Britain, swiping creams, nicotine pouches and electric toothbrushes.
Gugulan admitted 31 offences and was given a 40-month sentence at Leeds Crown Court last year. Cretu, who was already serving a 16 months sentence, was jailed for a further year at the same court.
Funded by the Home Office, retailers and policing, Opal collects and coordinates intelligence across the country. Since the unit was launched in May 2024, it has supported 203 referrals from retailers and police forces, resulting in 84 operations to tackle organised crime gangs targeting the retail sector.
Stephanie Coombes, Head of Intelligence for Opal, said: “Of the OCGs we have identified and monitored through our work, we have seen a 73 percent reduction in offending throughout the last year, demonstrating a clear impact in disrupting these high-harm networks.”
Last year, the Home Office announced funding to combat retail crime through various initiatives, including £5million to fund Opal’s ORC unit until March 2028.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for acquisitive crime, said: “The work of Opal is crucial in providing support to police forces so they are not working in isolation and can better work with retailers to tackle those offenders who are operating across the country and causing the most harm.”
The Pegasus Partnership, which was spear-headed by PCC Katy Bourne, was set up in October 2023 to improve cross-agency working through better information sharing, best practice and upskilling.
Ms Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Two years from its launch, the Opal team has delivered some significant blows to organised retail crime gangs. This unique national intelligence unit has shown just what police can achieve by being bold, thinking differently and working in partnership with the retail industry.
“I am delighted that the commitment and support we received from retailers has paid off, with a huge reduction in crimes against the sector and an excellent picture of the crime gangs causing the highest harm.”
Romanian shoplifter Boia, 30, was caught on camera as he attested at home after his gang stole nearly £200,000 worth of goods, before he told police: “No speak English.” Boia was held on suspicion of conspiracy to steal along with Olivia Firan, 38.
A third gang member, Laura Miron, 27, had already been arrested while trying to flee the UK for Ireland. Boia was later sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison; while Firan was jailed for three and half years in prison; and Miron received three years and three months.
Video of Boia and Firan being arrested featured in an episode of Channel 5 documentary series “Police Interceptors: Taking Down the Shoplifting Gangs”.
