![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791255731_243_2DeNPYdrXQbde46QivZd2A.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPeel Regional Police are taking the fight against retail theft to the boardroom \u2014 at least for two days.<\/p>\n
The local police force, tasked to battle crime in Mississauga and Brampton, is hosting a province-wide Retail Organized Crime Conference Tuesday and Wednesday at the Hyatt Place Toronto in Mississauga.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two-day conference brings together law enforcement agencies, retail industry leaders and public safety partners from across Ontario to discuss emerging trends, investigative best practices and partnership-driven solutions to disrupt organized retail crime networks,\u201d Peel police said in a news release Monday.<\/p>\n
The conference gets underway Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah and Peel police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews along with Peel Police Service Board vice-chair Omar Khan will welcome conference guests that include Ontario Solicitor Genera Michael Kerzner and the Retail Council of Canada\u2019s Rui Rodrigues.<\/p>\n
When not talking about ways to reduce retail theft, police in Peel say they\u2019ve been delivering blows to those who commit such crimes in Mississauga and Brampton.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791255733_239_Afo3papz87ELh8xheU2122.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
New specialized unit of police officers<\/p>\n
Peel Regional Police formed a specialized unit of officers in September 2025 to tackle crime that includes break-ins and the taking from retail businesses of large amounts of goods such as jewelry, clothes and other items.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a press conference in July at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga\u2019s downtown core, Andrews said the force\u2019s increased focus on a crime that\u2019s \u201cbecome endemic in our community\u201d has paid off so far.<\/p>\n
Last 30 Days: 56,303 Votes<\/p>\n
All Time: 1,560,022 Votes<\/p>\n
1292 VOTES
\n What\u2019s the biggest issue in this municipal election? <\/p>\n
While the number of retail thefts across the region has remained consistent in Peel in the past 12 months, the number of arrests and charges has increased by more than 30 per cent, the deputy chief noted earlier, adding the activity the culprits are taking part in \u201cis not petty crime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with other Peel police brass and officers on hand July 3 at Ontario\u2019s largest shopping centre, Andrews revealed details of an operation that led to an arrest in connection with an April 30 heist of nearly $1 million in jewelry and clothes<\/a> from Holt Renfrew at Square One. Police said most of the stolen goods were recovered.<\/p>\n Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews speaks to the media in July at Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.<\/p>\n \u201cRetail theft has a direct and significant impact on local businesses and the broader community,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cIncidents like this not only result in financial loss but undermine the sense of safety for those who live and work in our region.\u201d<\/p>\n Police in Peel said this past summer they\u2019re also battling retail thefts in another way.<\/p>\n Having participated in a national conference held in Mississauga this past March that brought police and corporate asset protection teams together to talk about ways to put a dent in retail thefts, Peel police noted in July they were eagerly anticipating this week\u2019s conference.<\/p>\n The local law enforcement agency said the Oct. 6-7 conference brings together partners \u201cto advance collaboration and develop a unified approach to disrupting organized retail crime that impacts our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n BEAR squad called into action\u00a0<\/p>\n Formed in September 2025, the Peel police Break-and-Enter Auto and Retail organized crime squad, aka BEAR unit, led the recent investigation into the major theft at Holt Renfrew.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Deputy-chief-marc-andrews-peel-cops-at-square-one-presser-july-2026.jpg\")
<\/p>\n