New retail crime reporting technology helps Met Police bring shoplifters to justice

New technology being rolled out as part of the Metropolitan Police’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 this week, with more to follow in the coming months.

Faster response

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 this week 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% of cases. The Met average prior to its introduction was just 7.3%.

Stronger case building

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.

Expanding the initiative

Following the success of pilot, the Met is this week expanding its use 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% compared with the previous year, equivalent to around 3,500 fewer offences.

Over the same period, the Met made almost 50% 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 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.”