Met Police tech quadruples shoplifting prosecutions in London rollout
System expands to 14 boroughs from 3 August 2026 after positive outcomes rise to 29.4%
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A digital system that lets retailers send CCTV and witness statements directly to the Metropolitan Police has quadrupled the number of shoplifters prosecuted in London. The platform, currently used in six boroughs, will expand to 14 from 3 August 2026.
Positive outcomes for reported shoplifting cases rose from 7.3% to 29.4% where the technology is in place, the Met said. The force made 50% more arrests for retail crime in the last financial year and doubled the number of cases resulting in a caution, charge or other disposal.
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
How the system works
Retailers including Tesco, Boots, Marks & Spencer and Greggs upload CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence to the platform when a theft occurs. Officers receive the material within minutes, rather than waiting up to 28 days for physical copies.
The Met said the faster evidence allows police to identify suspects, make arrests and build stronger cases. The system is already used in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.
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From 3 August 2026, the platform will expand to Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow. The Met did not say when the remaining boroughs would be included.
Results and reactions
Reported shoplifting offences across London fell by 3.7% in the last financial year, equivalent to around 3,500 fewer incidents, the Met said. Arrests for retail crime rose by almost 50% over the same period, while positive outcomes more than doubled from 2,682 to 5,996.
Shoplifters should be under no illusion, we are increasing our capability to catch you and put you before the courts.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, Met Police lead for business crime
Boots, which uses the system in all its London stores, said the platform helps store teams report incidents more quickly and focus on high-harm offenders. Julie Murphy, Vice President for London and Travel at Boots, said the results showed progress in tackling shop theft.
Recent prosecutions
The Met provided examples of cases where the system led to convictions. On 12 June 2026, Michael Belgrave, 55, was sentenced to nine months in prison and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after stealing more than £4,000 worth of goods from Greggs and BP stores.
On 30 July 2026, Hassan Hannach, 47, received a 12-month community order, a fine and a five-year CBO banning him from entering any commercial premises on Chiswick High Road. The order also prohibits him from wearing a face covering or possessing unpaid retail goods worth more than £10.
On 31 March 2026, Gary Curran, 56, was jailed for 12 months after stealing £9,000 worth of goods from Boots and BP stores. Other cases include a 50-year CBO issued to Danny Piper, 35, for multiple burglaries and shoplifting offences targeting Boots, Robert Dyas and Waitrose.
What happens next
The Met will continue to expand the platform to more boroughs after the 3 August 2026 rollout. Retailers in the new boroughs will be able to start using the system immediately. The force said it remains committed to reducing retail crime and increasing prosecutions.
Questions this report answers
+Which London boroughs will get the new shoplifting tech from 3 August 2026?
The system will expand to Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow. It is already used in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.
+How much has the prosecution rate for shoplifting increased?
Positive outcomes for reported shoplifting cases rose from 7.3% to 29.4% where the new system is used. The Met said the platform helps officers build stronger cases by receiving evidence within minutes instead of weeks.
+Which retailers are using the Met’s digital evidence platform?
Tesco, Boots, Marks & Spencer and Greggs are among the major retailers submitting CCTV and witness statements directly to police. Boots said the system helps its store teams report incidents more quickly and focus on high-harm offenders.
+What happens if someone is convicted using evidence from the new system?
Recent cases show offenders receiving prison sentences, community orders, fines and Criminal Behaviour Orders. One offender was banned from entering any Boots, Robert Dyas or Waitrose stores in England and Wales for 50 years.
News London Desk
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