London Police Crack Down on Organised Shoplifting Gangs with Largest Ever Operation

In a massive crackdown, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested 32 people and seized thousands of stolen items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds in London. The operation, codenamed Operation Zoridon, targeted shops that were suspected of buying stolen goods and reselling them at discounted prices. Working alongside major retailers, over 300 officers from across the Met were involved in the operation, which was the largest of its kind in the force's history. The operation resulted in the closure of nine stores and the issuance of emergency closure orders.

Key Takeaways:

• 32 people were arrested for various offences, including handling stolen goods, drug offences, and immigration violations.
• Over 300 officers from across the Met were involved in Operation Zoridon, which was the largest ever operation to tackle shoplifting in the force's history.
• Thousands of stolen items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were seized, including branded food, make-up, and electrical devices.
• Nine stores were served with closure notices, and emergency closure orders were issued.
• Operation Zoridon followed months of planning and intelligence gathering to identify organised crime groups and businesses that were suspected of handling stolen goods.
• The Met used tactics such as SelectaDNA to identify stolen goods and a dog trained to sniff out SelectaDNA markings assisted officers in searching properties.
• The operation was a collaboration between the Metropolitan Police Department, Trading Standards, the London Fire Brigade, and Border Force.
• The government has committed to putting 3,000 more neighbourhood police on the streets to tackle shop theft and fund retail crime.

Statistics:

• 32 people were arrested as part of Operation Zoridon.
• Over 300 officers from across the Met were involved in the operation.
• Thousands of stolen items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were seized.
• Nine stores were served with closure notices.
• Emergency closure orders were issued for at least two stores.
• 92% of shoplifting cases have been solved so far this year.
• The Metropolitan Police Department has used tactics such as SelectaDNA to identify stolen goods and a dog trained to sniff out SelectaDNA markings in their operation.
• Over 2,000 mobile phones were seized from a mobile phone store in Woolwich.
• An estimated £50,000 worth of gaming consoles were discovered in a secret compartment at the same store.
• Apple confirmed a number of counterfeit phones, accessories, and packaging at the store.

Sources:

• Metropolitan Police Department
• Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan
• Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood
• Policing and Crime Minister, Sarah Jones
• Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive, James Lowman