News —
New tech sees Met quadruple number of shoplifters brought to justice
New technology being rolled out as part of the Met’s crackdown on retail crime has quadrupled the number of shoplifters being brought to justice in the capital.
The system, which until now has been piloted in six London boroughs, will be in use in a further eight boroughs from today with more to follow in the coming months.
It lets retailers submit CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence directly to officers, allowing them to track, arrest and build cases against offenders more quickly. Previously, officers might have had to wait up to 28 days or longer for CCTV and statements, now they get that evidence in minutes.
It is already being used by major high street chains including Tesco, Boots, M&S and Greggs.
New figures released today show that where shoplifting is reported using the new tech, there is a positive outcome (a caution, charge or other criminal disposal) in 29.4 per cent of cases.
The Met average prior to its introduction was just 7.3 per cent.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for business crime, said:
“The results speak for themselves. This crime reporting technology is helping us identify offenders faster and bring more shoplifters to justice. By receiving CCTV footage and evidence directly from retailers at the point a crime is committed, we can build stronger cases and act more decisively.
“Tackling retail crime remains a top priority for the Met. Reported shoplifting offences across London are down by almost four per cent, but we’re not taking our foot off the pedal as evidenced by this continued use of new tech.
“Shoplifters should be under no illusion – we are increasing our capability to catch you and put you before the courts.”
The crime reporting platform is currently being used by subscribing retailers across Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley.
Following the success of pilot, the Met is expanding its use from today, to retailers in Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.
The Met remains committed to cracking down on shoplifters. In the last financial year, reported shoplifting offences across London fell by 3.7 per cent compared with the previous year, equivalent to around 3,500 fewer offences.
Over the same period, the Met made almost 50 per cent more arrests for retail crime, while the number of positive outcomes, more than doubled from 2,682 to 5,996.
Julie Murphy, Vice President for London and Travel division, Boots, said:
“Boots is committed to partnering with the Metropolitan Police to tackle retail crime in the capital. Harnessing retail crime technology - which is available in all Boots stores across London - enables our store teams to report incidents more quickly and effectively to the Police and focuses our collective resources on targeting high harm offenders.
“The results published by the Met today show that we are making progress in bearing down on shop theft, and Boots is pleased to be supporting the roll-out of Direct to Police reporting via the platform to a further eight London boroughs.”
NOTES TO EDITOR
Recent examples of cases originating with reports using the new technology:
On Friday, 12 June, Michael Belgrave, 55 (15.02.71), of no fixed address, was sentenced at Ealing Magistrates’ Court to nine months imprisonment and made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). Belgrave stole more than £4,000 worth of goods from a number of stores including Greggs and BP. The five-year CBO bans him from entering any branch of Holland & Barrett, Greggs or BP not just in Ealing, but across England and Wales.
On Thursday, 30 July, Hassan Hannach, 47 (27.02.1979) of Tomlinson Close, Chiswick was sentenced at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court to a twelve-month community and rehabilitation order, a fine and a five-year CBO. The CBO bans him from entering any commercial premises on Chiswick High Road, entering a retail premises with a face covering or possessing retail goods worth more than £10 in their original packaging without proof of purchase.
On Tuesday, 31 March, Gary Curran, 56 (23.01.1970), of no fixed address was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to twelve-months imprisonment for twenty shoplifting offences. Curran stole £9,000 worth of goods from stores including Boots and BP.
Other recent retail crime case studies:
On Thursday, 11 June, Danny Piper, 35 (16.01.1991) of no fixed address, was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to four years’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a 50-year CBO, believed to be the first of its kind issued for this duration. Piper was convicted of multiple burglaries and shoplifting offences, frequently targeting businesses such as Robert Dyas, Boots and Waitrose. The CBO bans him from entering Camden and Westminster, as well as any Boots, Robert Dyas or Waitrose stores in England and Wales.
On Monday, 1 June, Mustapha Ali, 33 (31.05.1993) of Sparsholt Road, Islington, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to two years’ imprisonment and made subject to a five-year CBO after being convicted of 37 shoplifting offences. The five-year CBO bans Ali from entering Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores across Camden and Islington.
On Tuesday, 9 June, Paul Smith, 47 (10.12.1978) of Glastonbury Road, Morden, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to 20 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a five-year CBO. Smith stole more than £2,500 worth of goods, including health and wellbeing products valued at over £1,000 and was convicted of a commercial burglary where around £1,500 worth of stock was taken from Holland & Barrett. The five-year CBO bans him from entering any Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s, Boots and Tesco stores, and any retail premises without means to pay. It also prevents him from entering Morden and Wimbledon town centres, as well as Colliers Wood.
Video footage and images available here: https://mps.box.com/s/yemj0oe2oh94h1rkgfx4fu1wi2rmlstx
New technology media cut:
- Michael Belgrave 00:00 – 01:28
- Hassan Hannach 01:29 – 01:52
- Gary Curran 01:53 – 03:36
Shoplifting media cut:
- Danny Piper 00:00 – 01:07
- Mustapha Ali 01:08 – 01:52
- Paul Smith 01:53 – 02:57