An organized meat theft ring may be operating in Metro Vancouver

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“Whether these thefts are opportunistic or part of a more coordinated effort, we are devoting resources to disrupting this crime trend,” said Cst. Frank Bryson, Richmond RCMP media relations officer, in a release.

“Retail theft has real consequence for businesses, consumers, and for public safety. We take it seriously regardless of scale.”

Richmond RCMP is urging the public to refrain from buying meat from “unverified or informal sources,” including people selling product outside of a licensed retailer.

“Product stolen from stores may have been subject to temperature changes or unsafe handling, making it a potential risk to anyone who consumes it,” added RCMP.

Police are also asking the public to report any suspicious behaviour seen in the meat section to staff and police.

This includes:

• individuals who appear to be concealing product
• loading unusually large quantities of meat into personal bags
• behaving in a way that seems out of place.

However, Richmond RCMP is urging the public not to directly confront any individuals who are potentially stealing meat or other goods.

“Anyone with information about meat theft in Richmond, or who has been offered meat for sale through informal channels, is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 606-278-1212,” said the detachment. “If you witness a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.”

There have been several grocery-related thefts in recent memory in Metro Vancouver. Two Vancouver men were arrested in 2018 for allegedly stealing a shopping cart full of butter worth more than $1,400.

A successful, “large-scale” retail theft operation in 2019 resulted in the arrest of 32 people in Richmond. The most popular items that were stolen during the operation were meat, liquor, candy, and clothing.

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More than half of small businesses in B.C. reported that crime is worsening in their communities, according to a survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

In a release, the organization said that 80 per cent of respondents said that “governments are not working well together to address public safety challenges” and many business owners have stopped reporting crime, because they don’t expect “a timely response or meaningful follow-up.”