New technology which has been rolled out over recent months as part of the Metropolitan Police’s crackdown on retail crime has quadrupled the number of prosecutions for shoplifting, it has revealed.
The system, which until now has been piloted in six London boroughs, will be in use in a further eight boroughs from today (4 August) 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.
The system is already being used by major high street chains including Tesco, Boots, M&S and Greggs. 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 a pilot scheme, the Met is expanding its use from today, to retailers in Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.
New figures also 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% of cases. The Met’s average prior to its introduction was just 7.3%.
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 4%, 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’re increasing our capability to catch you and put you before the courts.”
The Met said it 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.
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