Met Police expands shoplifting evidence tool to eight more London boroughs
Retailers in Southwark, Lambeth and six other boroughs can now submit CCTV and statements directly to officers
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Retailers in eight more London boroughs will be able to send CCTV footage and witness statements directly to Metropolitan Police officers from Tuesday. The force is extending a digital evidence-sharing platform that has already raised the rate of cautions and charges for shoplifting from 7.3% to 29.4% in six pilot boroughs.
The system allows subscribing businesses to upload material within minutes, replacing a process that previously took up to 28 days. Officers can then identify suspects, make arrests and build cases more quickly. The Metropolitan Police said the tool is used by national chains including Boots, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Greggs.
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Which boroughs are affected
The platform launched in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. From 3 September 2024, it will be available in Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow. Barnet is not among the boroughs included in either phase.
The Metropolitan Police has not said how many retailers have subscribed or what the service costs. Businesses must opt in; the force has not made participation mandatory.
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Recent cases linked to the system
In May, a teenage boy was sentenced at Highbury Corner Youth Court after stealing more than £100,000 worth of goods from Boots and Holland and Barrett. The magistrate spared him jail, ordering him to turn his life around instead.
In June, Michael Belgrave, 55, received a nine-month prison sentence and a five-year criminal behaviour order at Ealing Magistrates’ Court. He had stolen more than £4,000 from shops including Greggs and BP. The order bans him from entering any branch of Holland and Barrett, Greggs or BP in England and Wales.
Shoplifters should be under no illusion, we are increasing our capability to catch you and put you before the courts.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, Metropolitan Police lead for business crime
What happens next
The Metropolitan Police will monitor the expansion in the eight new boroughs. It has not announced plans to extend the system to Barnet or the remaining 15 London boroughs. Retailers in the affected areas can sign up by contacting the force’s business crime hub.
Julie Murphy, vice president for Boots’ London and travel division, said the company was committed to the partnership. She told the Evening Standard that the results showed progress in reducing shop theft.
Questions this report answers
+Which boroughs will get the new shoplifting evidence system?
From 3 September 2024, retailers in Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow can use the platform. It is already live in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersham and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.
+How much has the new system improved shoplifting prosecutions?
The Metropolitan Police reported that the rate of cautions, charges or other disposals rose from 7.3% to 29.4% in the pilot boroughs. The force attributes the increase to faster evidence sharing between retailers and officers.
+Do retailers have to pay to use the system?
The Metropolitan Police has not disclosed whether the service is free or requires a subscription. Retailers must opt in; participation is not mandatory. The force has not said how many businesses have signed up.
+Will Barnet retailers get the system soon?
The Metropolitan Police has not announced plans to extend the platform to Barnet. The current expansion covers eight boroughs, leaving 15 London boroughs, including Barnet, without the service.
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