A growing, and more organized, criminal element appears to be behind a sudden spike in the theft of product from liquor stores.

That’s according to NLC CEO Bruce Keating who indicates thieves are more coordinated, bold and even violent.

Such crimes have increased twenty-fold in the last two years, with a notable increase in recent months, prompting the NLC to make some significant changes to protect staff and stem losses.

He says there’s a criminal element, that appears to be growing, that seems to have the view that the NLC is an easy target. That is something Keating says they are addressing with changes being made at liquor stores.