The Metropolitan Police raided 120 stores across the capital last week, including two in South London, in their crackdown on shoplifting gangs reselling stolen items, writes Megan Norcott…
Thousands of stolen electronics, branded food and other items have been recovered under Operation Zoridon, with 32 people arrested for the handling of stolen goods, drug offences or immigration violations.
The raids conducted on 14 and 16 October came as shoplifting offences in London rose to nearly 90,000 last year, marking a 54 per cent increase from the 57,301 recorded in 2023.
Home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, responded to the raids by pledging to deploy 3,000 more neighbourhood officers.
Speaking about long-term plans to combat shoplifting, policing and crime minister, Sarah Jones, said: “For too long shop workers have been devastated by theft and abuse, with prolific offenders stealing at will believing they are above the law.
“This stops now. The government is putting more officers on the streets and arming them with new powers, including a new offence for assaulting a retail worker and scrapping the £200 limit on shop thefts being investigated.”
One Bromley store targeted by officers was found to be selling more than 150 stolen items, including LEGO sets, earphones and speakers.
Luxury watches and £70,000 in cash were also discovered at an address related to the shop.
Almost all items seized in the raids are suspected to have been taken illegally from high street retailers with thieves ‘stealing to order’.
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Shop owners buying the goods often know that they have been stolen, selling them for a discounted price and pocketing the profit.
Operation Zoridon’s lead officer, Superintendent Luke Baldock, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and the gangs involved are organised and have links to drugs and violence.
“Rogue shopkeepers who trade in stolen goods are funding criminal activity and driving up costs for everyone. They’re keeping thieves in business at the expense of hard-working, law-abiding retailers.”
A Woolwich store targeted by the Met Police had £50,000 worth of gaming consoles hidden in a secret compartment, with 2,000 mobile phones also stashed in a concealed basement.
Another shop in Willesden was found with around £1,500 worth of items believed to have been stolen.
These included Starbucks travel mugs, umbrellas from Waterstones and branded children’s toys.
Investigators were able to identify businesses and organised crime groups involved in shoplifting operations by using a unique synthetic liquid called SelectaDNA painted on commonly stolen goods.
Marking the origin of the goods, the liquid helped trace stolen items taken from major retailers, and police hope it will strengthen evidence for prosecutions.
Most people arrested as part of the operation have already been bailed out, with Supt. Baldock adding: “We will now need the support of the courts to secure longer closure orders and shut down these illicit shops for good.”
James Lowman, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores said he welcomed the Met’s action and would like to see other forces around the country strengthen their approach to stopping shoplifting.
More than 300 officers took part in Operation Zoridon and nine stores were issued with closure orders following the raids.
Featured image credit: Metropolitan Police
