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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. Dear Valley Ward Members,
Safer Neighbourhood Teams (Valley, Larkswood, Chingford Green & Endlebury SNT) working alongside MSC colleagues, have been carrying out a week of intensified activity across North Chingford, focusing on Station Road E4 and Chingford Mount E4.
This period of intensification is part of ongoing work to tackle retail crime, increase high visibility patrols, and provide reassurance to local businesses. Officers and PCSOs visited shops, engaged with staff, and identified any concerns or repeat issues affecting retailers.
We encourage all businesses to:
• Report all incidents of retail crime, no matter how minor
• Share information and concerns with officers during visits
• Ensure staff are aware of reporting routes and preventative advice
Your engagement and reporting are vital in helping us build intelligence, target offenders effectively, and strengthen trust and confidence across our business community.
If you have any concerns or would like to speak with an officer during this period, please approach patrols or contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.
To help improve our response to retail crime, we’ve partnered with Auror, a retail crime intelligence platform designed to help frontline officers and staff identify prolific offenders, share intelligence quickly, and coordinate responses effectively to support successful prosecutions.
Retailers can use Auror to upload crime reports, CCTV and still images, witness statements and item details (e.g. barcodes, values). This evidence is provided at the point of reporting, rather than later, improving speed and quality.
As well as streamlining the process for victims, it allows police to see linked offences across multiple stores and boroughs, support the identification of repeat and prolific offenders and access evidence immediately to progress investigations faster.
By using Auror, we can enhance reporting and evidence collection, protect retail workers and provide victims with the crime reference number at the first point of contact.
Shoplifting is a significant generator of crime within the Met, accounting for 9.8% of all reported crime. We will tackle it head on with this precise policing tactic and partnership working – all part of our New Met for London 2 plan.
https://www.auror.co/uk/retailers
 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. | 
