UK Supermarkets Targeted by £73K 'Champagne Gang'

A Romanian-led shoplifting network exploits a European champagne shortage, highlighting a broader issue of organized retail crime in the UK.

The 'champagne gang' uses Bluetooth headsets to coordinate thefts, often distracting staff by setting off alarms.
This gang is part of a larger trend, with 63 organized crime groups stealing £2.4 million in goods across the UK over five years.
The group initially focused on champagne due to a shortage in Europe but has since expanded to other luxury goods.
Project Pegasus is a police initiative aimed at improving intelligence sharing and has resulted in 60 arrests related to organized shoplifting.
Shoplifting is on the rise, costing UK households an additional £133 annually, and prompting calls for stricter laws and enforcement.