Local Priorities Shoplifting Message

I wanted to provide you an update regarding Shoplifting, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

On Sunday 28th September at 1700hrs, Officers from West End Town Centre Team (TCT) A were on a plain clothes shoplifting operation in the ORB area or Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, they saw 2 males on the escalator at Bond Street with backpacks that were full and bulging, Officers followed them and stopped them, a search revealed the backpacks were full of recently stolen items from a well-known pharmaceutical store.

One of the males also had a pair of pliers in his possession used to cutting off security tags and drug paraphernalia.

Just to highlight the dangers that your local West End Officers face every day, one of the males during the initial stop threw liquid from a bottle onto one of the Officers, this liquid was a drug replacement called methadone which is highly addictive heroin replacement which can cause severe allergic reactions, fortunately the Officer was unharmed.

Both males were arrested for a variety of offences and the next morning were interviewed and charged by Officers from West End TCT B.

Shoplifting is a crime that can have a substantial negative impact on local businesses across London. If you notice anything suspicious or witness anyone shoplifting, please report it as soon as possible. These reports are invaluable in letting us build a picture of when and where shop lifters operate, meaning we can be in the right place at the right time to arrest those responsible. 

For more guidance, see our page on how to spot a shoplifter.

We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years.