Local Shoplifting Update - Further arrests made

Local Shoplifting Update - Further arrests made

You raised shoplifting as a concern, so here’s a quick local update.

This shoplifter never saw us coming as we followed him in plain clothes and promptly arrested him down the road. Thinking about shoplifting in Hayes? Think again! We will continue to target offenders who threaten shop staff, cause public to fear for their safety and increase prices for everyone, this isn't a victimless crime.

The Met is cracking down on street crime, like shoplifting, people doing drugs and phone-snatching. 

We’ve put hundreds more officers on the frontlines of community crime-fighting teams, upping visible patrols in the right ‘hot spots’ so we can deter and catch criminals.

We’re now arresting more than 1,000 extra criminals every month and seeing ‘neighbourhood crime’ down 14%.

But we know there is more to do. That’s why we’re stepping up our use of technology, increasing our operations and working with retailers to make it less appealing for criminals to commit these crimes in the first place.

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.