News —
Man arrested after police seize £500,000 of suspected stolen goods
A year-long Metropolitan Police investigation into an organised crime group suspected of handling stolen goods worth millions of pounds has resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old man and the recovery of more than £500,000 worth of suspected stolen property.
On Tuesday, 7 July, officers executed a warrant at a warehouse in Romford after intelligence indicated stolen goods were being delivered to the site by courier.
Inside, officers discovered a substantial quantity of high-value suspected stolen goods, along with discarded security tags and boxes. While officers were carrying out the search, several courier drivers arrived at the warehouse with further deliveries.
Items recovered included:
- Around £56,000 worth of Ultrasun sun lotion
- 1,000 jars of Neal's Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream
- £9,000 in cash
Enquiries established that the goods were believed to have been stolen from major retailers including Apple, Holland & Barrett, Boots and Waitrose. Price tags linked the items to offences committed both in London's West End and across police force areas nationwide.
Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Met's policing lead for the West End, said:
“This investigation demonstrates that we are not only targeting prolific offenders who commit thefts, but also those who handle and profit from stolen goods, helping to drive this cycle of criminality.
“Organised retail crime has a significant impact on businesses, retail workers and local communities. That is why it is encouraging to see shoplifting across London fall by 3.7 per cent last year – around 3,500 fewer offences.
“Where criminality does remain, both thieves and those involved in handling stolen goods should be in no doubt that they will not be allowed to operate with impunity. We will continue to pursue offenders, disrupt organised criminal networks and bring those responsible to justice.”
Following the warrant on the premises in Romford, officers carried out enquiries to locate the suspect. The 34-year-old man was arrested today, Friday, 10 July, on suspicion of handling stolen goods. He is also believed to have sold stolen items through online marketplaces. He remains in custody.
The operation is the latest success in the Met's continued crackdown on organised retail crime. Last year, more than 300 officers took part in two days of intensified activity, raiding 120 premises suspected of purchasing stolen goods. The operation resulted in 32 arrests and the seizure of thousands of suspected stolen items.
NOTES TO EDITOR
Ultrasun sun cream retails at around £25 for 100ml
Neal's Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream retails at around £38 for 50ml
Photo and video footage available here: https://mps.box.com/s/xinru78mu6eraeozulxwy9d70golkupq