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Luxury crimes are on the rise in the UK, with criminal gangs now targeting high-end designer goods such as Canada Goose jackets and AirPods. These items have become more enticing to thieves than drugs, leading to an increase in overall crime rates. Experts warn that this trend is just the beginning and that young men are often the culprits behind these offences. In the past, young offenders would typically start with shop thefts or burglaries as an entry-level crime. However, the rise of luxury crime has replaced these traditional offences. Offenders now see expensive, easily concealable items as a symbol of status and wealth. The desire to possess these items has become a driving force behind the increase in luxury crimes. This week former Met Detective Peter Bleksley is joined by former armed robber turned TikTok addiction mentor; Paul Simmons, business development and recoveries manager of The Watch Register Catherine Alexander, criminologist and author James Treadwell and former senior Metropolitan Police officer Leroy Logan. Paul highlights the changing motivations of criminals. He explains that many offenders today are not driven by financial gain or desperate circumstances. Instead, they simply want to possess the items they aspire to have, regardless of the consequences. This shift in mindset has contributed to the ruthless and unscrupulous nature of these criminals. The impact of luxury crime is evident in the disturbing footage of a recent robbery, where a man is violently attacked and robbed of his watch. This premeditated and prolonged assault highlights the extent to which criminals are willing to go to obtain high-value items. The Metropolitan Police have made it a priority to investigate such crimes, utilising the abundance of CCTV footage available in the UK. The panel debates whether luxury crimes should be classified as organised crime. While elements of organisation are present, the cultural shift towards material possessions and consumerism plays a significant role in driving these offenses. Young people, in particular, are bombarded with messages that define their success by what they consume, leading them to target high-end designer stores during incidents like the riots in 2010. Click here for more from TalkTV If you need any help visit:
