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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. Last week, the Westminster Town Centre Teams were actively involved in the Safer Business Action Week (SaBA) 2025 whereby police and partners unite to tackle business and retail crime nationwide.
We had some fantastic arrests and good news stories from last week, however unfortunately and highlighting the dangers that your Officers face, during one of the arrests a West End PC was injured receiving a broken collar bone and in a separate incident a PC used his Taser to conduct a red dot challenge on a suspect armed with a knife.
The arrests were made for offences including Theft, Shoplifting, Going Equipped to Steal, Immigration offences, Failing to Appear at Court, Handling Stolen Goods, Breach of Criminal Behaviour Order, Possession of Drugs Class A, Class B and Class C, Drink Driving, Possession of a Knife, ABH, Public Order offences (Racial abuse) and Obstruction of Police.
For SABA week, we made 21 arrests and conducted 36 stop and searches.
Good News Stories:
As part of SABA Week, TCT A and B were deployed to the Lights switch on at Covent Garden, within a short time Officers noticed a suspicious vehicle on the outskirts of the area, with a male sat in the passenger seat. The officers noticed rolls of foil on the back seat and detained the male for a search. Found in the car were two mobile phones wrapped in foil (which were soon found to be stolen that day). Also found was the foil and safety pins (for sim card removal). Some excellent investigative work led to identifying the victims, who then provided Police with victim statements. CCTV was retrieved also from a pub where one of the thefts took place. This highlighted the use of a newspaper in a table surfing to distract the victim during the commission of the offence. The second victim had their phone stolen in similar circumstances in a café. The officers worked diligently with the investigation, and they charged and remanded the suspect for Theft from person x 2 and Going Equipped.
A prolific business crime offender and regular shoplifter was arrested for breaching her CBO, failing to appear at court for a previous retail crime and also for handling stolen goods for being in possession of freshly stolen items, she was found with a brand-new Google Pixel phone which had been reported stolen. Further checks revealed this phone theft was indeed reported to Police as stolen. Victim was contacted and her phone given back to her. Another phone returned to their rightful owner
A male was arrested for working outside of his VISA requirements and breaching immigration law.
2 Shoplifters were arrested at Marks and Spencer’s on Oxford Street for possession of a foil lined bag and recent theft of £70 worth of goods.
Police receive reports of a phone snatch. A suspect was then seen by Police fitted the description, ran in front of them, the phone fell from the suspects pocket, the suspect then ran from officer, another colleague of the Officers chased him, where he then assaulted the Officer, where it resulted in the Officer’s collarbone being broken, the suspect was arrested for multiple offences.
Officers alerted by member of the public that they had their wallet stolen in a pub with a nearby suspect identified, he was detained at location and CCTV reviewed, showing the theft and he was arrested, on arrival to custody the suspect was also found to have Cannabis and Class A drugs concealed in his sock.
On Shaftesbury Avenue, a suspect was seen walking towards officers with a knife in his hand. A PC conducted a red dot challenge with his Taser, after the suspect concealed the knife. He ran from Police, was caught and knife recovered.
A prolific offender who causes ASB and is known for theft, was arrested for breaching his Community Protection Notice conditions, namely that he was drawing on the pavement, which is in breach of his CPN conditions. He was seen by Westminster Council City Inspectors who called Police and Officers attended, they conducted checks and found that conditions were in place, and he was arrested.
A male suspect was witnessed approaching various members of the public via CCTV and suspected of dealing drugs, he was followed by Police into location where he was with another male who stated he had just bought drugs from him; he was searched and quantity of Cocaine found in his hat and he was arrested.
A female suspect was in a large retailer and was recognised by staff as being involved in a theft of a dress valued at £1800 on a previous date, Police were called and she was duly arrested.
All of these above incidents highlight some of the great work that goes on every day by all of your West End Policing Teams, we are committed to driving down retail crime and bringing offenders to justice to make the West End a safer place.
 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. | 
