Inside the £70k ‘mafia-style’ champagne shoplifting gang

A professional group of thieves has been stealing expensive champagne from supermarkets across the UK, with their total haul amounting to over £73,000. This gang typically operates in groups of three, using Bluetooth headsets to communicate and keep an eye out for security personnel. They blend in with regular shoppers by pushing trolleys or carrying baskets while casually taking champagne bottles from the shelves. One member of the gang will intentionally trigger the store's security alarm to create a distraction, allowing another member to walk out with the stolen goods. Sarah Bird, a representative from the National Business Crime Solution (NBCS), described the operation as 'mafia-style,' emphasizing that it is organized like a business. The gang has been nicknamed 'the champagne gang' because champagne is their primary target. They capitalized on a champagne shortage in mainland Europe that occurred about 18 months ago, which was caused by a surge in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic and poor crop yields. This situation has led to a stronger black market for champagne, making it easier for the gang to sell their stolen goods. The gang operates with a clear hierarchy, with leaders who give instructions and a team of workers who are paid for their efforts. They have specific locations they target and a shopping list of items they aim to steal. The police suspect that the stolen champagne is often transported to Europe. The sophisticated methods used by the champagne gang have inspired other criminal groups across the country. The NBCS is currently tracking 63 organized crime groups in the UK that have collectively stolen at least £2. 4 million worth of goods over the past five years. Among these groups, 26 are based in the UK and Ireland, while the rest primarily come from Eastern Europe. The champagne gang, which originates from Romania, has been linked to 60 shoplifting incidents across the UK, stretching from Gateshead to Bournemouth. Recently, they have expanded their operations to include other types of alcohol and meat to meet new demands. The gang adapts their tactics whenever new technology is introduced that could hinder their operations. For instance, they initially used trolleys to steal items, but as retailers invested in technology to prevent trolley theft, they switched to using baskets and bags instead. Sarah Bird noted that only two members of the gang have been prosecuted so far. In one notable incident in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, there were at least seven members of the gang present in the store. Sarah Bird explained, 'We believe they took the opportunity in the Harrogate store as a training day for the new recruits - showing them the ropes and then effectively putting them to work. ' If gang members are caught, they are often easily replaced. Typically, if they are arrested and charged, they are released on bail and may return to their home country, in this case, Romania. It is also believed that the stolen goods are sent back to Romania. Intelligence gathered from Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras suggests that the gang's vehicles transport the stolen items to Europe, creating an effective supply chain for selling the goods in Romania. Retailers have expressed concerns that these shoplifting gangs are contributing to the rising costs of retail crime, which ultimately affects consumers. According to the Centre for Retail Research, shoplifting has added an average of £133 to the annual shopping bill for UK households. Sarah Walker, the manager of Browns department store in Beverley, East Yorkshire, reported that her store has been targeted by increasingly sophisticated gangs. In March, one gang stole perfume from her store and then targeted another Browns location 30 miles away in York within just 90 minutes. She stated, 'They’ve done research on the market where they’re going, they’ve looked at shops that have got the products that they need. It’s calculated. ' Staff members often witness groups of four to six individuals entering the store with a clear plan of what to steal. Sarah Walker expressed her concerns about the intimidating nature of these gangs, stating, 'These gangs are intimidating, they can be young, and to put my staff under that vulnerability it’s hard. ' She emphasized that it is difficult for her employees to come to work and face the possibility of being pushed aside by someone with a shopping list. Walker has reported shoplifting incidents to the police, but often feels that her concerns go unheard, and no arrests are made. She advocates for better information sharing between police forces to combat this issue. Steph Coombes, head of intelligence for the NPCC's Opal unit, mentioned that the initiative to address shoplifting has shown positive results. Humberside Police have collaborated with North Yorkshire Police, linking incidents in Beverley and York, but they were unable to identify suspects from CCTV footage. Over the past year, there has been increased information sharing between police forces through Project Pegasus, which focuses on serious organized shoplifting. Coombes noted that shoplifting gangs are 'very good at adapting' their methods, and the operation has led to 60 arrests in just four months, impacting organized crime groups responsible for significant financial losses.