Shoplifter convicted after being caught in the act by Met officers

A man who was caught in the act during a Met Police operation to tackle shoplifting in south London has been jailed.

Neighbourhood officers in Lambeth carried out a targeted sting at the Co-Op in Lower Marsh on Monday, 27 January after several reports of theft from the store.

After reviewing recent crime reports, they arrived early and waited in the back office where they monitored CCTV cameras.

At around 08:30hrs a man entered the store and began ransacking the meat chiller. He was immediately detained and arrested.

Derick Bell, 36 (29.02.88) and of no fixed address, was charged the following day and appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting. He was jailed for eight weeks.

Inspector Darren Watson, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Lambeth, said:

"This is an excellent example of how the Met is taking a targeted approach to tackle the type of offending that matters most to Londoners.

"We know shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses and shop staff. It often also fuels other crime and anti-social behaviour.

"In Lambeth alone, our enforcement activity means 11 of the 14 most prolific shoplifters in the area are currently in prison and we will continue to take action against those who cause misery in our communities."