Local Shoplifting Update

Local Shoplifting Update

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

On 15/10/2026 at 0935 hours, officers from Sydenham SNT arrested a male for shoplifting offences that occurred at the Sydenham Road Boots Pharmacy and the BP on Bromley Road. This male had stolen over £5000 worth of goods over the last month. This male had been circulated as wanted and he was spotted on Sydenham Road while going inside the store and leaving with stolen items without making an attempt to pay for them.. The male tried to evade officers but was eventually arrested after a brief struggle. PC Haque with assistance from PCSO Okonji of Sydenham SNT then arrested the male for multiple shoplifting offences, for being wanted and shoplifting in both Boots Pharmacy and BP Bromley Road due to entering the Boots and BP. Officers are confident that the male will be given a custodial sentence due to his offending history and how prolific of an offender he is. We will update you with the outcome of this report when we can.

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.

We want your help to shape the future of policing across London. We are seeking your views on our new inclusion strategy to ensure that the Met is a police service that is trusted, representative and more effective at keeping London safe. You can have your say on our Inclusion Strategy consultation which runs until Thursday 26 November.