Swedish Trade has launched its annual Security Week, drawing attention to the growing threat of organised crime in retail and its impact on the wider economy. This year's theme, "Together against organised crime", highlights how thefts in commerce are rarely isolated incidents, often linked to money laundering, false identities, and violent criminal networks.
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The initiative encourages member companies to report all crimes to better reflect the true scale of retail crime. Nina Jelver, Head of Security at Swedish Trade, said: "Swedish Trade has long raised the risks of underestimating the theft problem. When organised crime is now significantly affecting trade, it is clear that our warnings have come true. Powerful measures are required from both politics and the legal system to reverse the trend. We hope that this year's Safety Week can contribute to this."
To simplify reporting, Swedish Trade's Security Centre app, launched in 2017, enables companies to file police reports in under a minute. The tool has gained popularity and is now recommended by the Police Authority. Jelver emphasised the stakes: "If we give criminals free rein by not taking mass crime seriously, both stores and jobs risk disappearing. It would be a loss for both individuals and society. Therefore, it is encouraging that the Police are now paying attention to the work of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce by supporting the Security Centre. We hope for even stronger cooperation in the future."
Swedish Trade has also outlined practical measures to combat organised retail crime, including: allocating resources to close physical markets for stolen goods, holding digital marketplaces accountable for sales, and enforcing strict supervision, fines, and business bans on retailers selling stolen products.
As part of Security Week, Swedish Trade has produced a film featuring voices from the trade and Jelver, underscoring the critical importance of joint action against criminal networks.
Through these initiatives, Swedish Trade aims to strengthen retail security, support businesses, and influence policymakers to take decisive action against organised crime threatening Sweden's commercial landscape.
More information:
Svensk Handel
www.svenskhandel.se
