How Merseyside Police is speeding up justice for shop theft offenders

Merseyside Police says a new digital process is helping officers charge suspected retail offenders more quickly, cutting hours from investigations and freeing officers to tackle other crimes across the region.

Operation Dale allows retailers to submit CCTV and digital witness statements electronically when there is sufficient evidence to support a prosecution. Police say the approach is already reducing investigation times, delivering earlier guilty pleas and helping officers focus on prolific offenders linked to wider criminality.