Man arrested in east London as Met tackles criminals who target parcel delivery drivers

A man has been arrested in an intelligence-led operation as part of the Met’s ongoing response to thefts and robberies from parcel delivery vans and drivers.

At around 14:30hrs on Tuesday, 22 October, officers based in Newham supported by Flying Squad colleagues stopped a car in High Street South, East Ham. The driver, a man aged in his 50s, was arrested on suspicion of theft from a parcel delivery van in addition to failing to stop for police and driving offences.

He was found to be in possession of a number of parcels which are believed to have been stolen less than 30 minutes earlier from a parcel delivery van in Newham. The driver of the van had briefly left his vehicle to deliver a parcel, when three males broke into the van and made off with a number of packages.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate the two outstanding suspects.

In seeking to evade arrest, the arrested man’s vehicle collided with three police vehicles. Thankfully no officer was injured. The man was taken to hospital as a precaution due to injuries sustained during the collisions.

DCI Laura Hillier, Specialist Crime, said: “A team of police officers, including specialist Met Taskforce and Flying Squad detectives, are continuing an operation to tackle crime against parcel delivery firms and their staff.

“As one suspect found out this afternoon, we are using innovative tactics and dedicating significant resources to identify those believed to be responsible and arrest them.

“Anyone with information about people who commit these offences is urged to call 101 or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers and quote Operation Soslink.”