Community Alert Leads to Shoplifting Arrest

On MONDAY 10/08/2026, officers on mobile patrol in Hampstead were flagged down by members of the public following reports that property had been stolen from a visitor at a nearby restaurant.

Officers quickly responded and detained a person following a short foot chase. The visitor’s property was safely recovered.

During a lawful search, officers found two pairs of designer glasses with price tags still attached. Further enquiries were carried out at an optician on Hampstead High Street, where staff confirmed that glasses worth approximately £800 had been stolen earlier that afternoon.

Officers reviewed the shop’s CCTV, recovered the stolen glasses and returned the property to the business. A pair of scissors was also found during a further search.

One person was arrested on suspicion of theft and going equipped for theft and was taken into police custody.

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Thank you to the members of the public and local businesses who assisted officers.

If you witness a crime taking place, call 999. For a crime that has already happened and does not require an emergency response, report it online or call 101.