Local Shoplifting Update

Local Shoplifting Update

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

On 04/10/2026 at 1410 hours, officers from Bellingham and Sydenham SNT arrested a male for multiple counts of shoplifting across our wards. This male had stolen over £3000 worth of goods over a period of approximately one month from retail premises; by doing so, the male has breached his Criminal Behaviour Order. We are confident that we will get a charge and custodial sentence for the male due to his prolific behaviour.

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.