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More than 30 people have been arrested in the Metropolitan Police’s largest-ever crackdown on shoplifting gangs. Officers carried out raids at 120 shops in the capital suspected of purchasing items stolen from major retailers and reselling them at discounted prices. Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of items were seized, including electronic devices and make-up. Scotland Yard said its actions, which also led to nine stores being served closure notices, sends a “clear message to anyone profiting from stolen goods”. London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: “Shoplifting has a profound impact on business owners and communities, with organised gangs stealing to order. “Record funding from City Hall is helping the Met build on significant reductions achieved in theft and robbery — both down since the start of the year — with 92 per cent more shoplifting cases solved.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood added: “Shop theft is a scourge that tears at the fabric of communities. “Growing up with parents who owned a corner shop, I know first-hand that there is nothing ‘low-level’ about these crimes.” Shop theft has hit a record high in England and Wales, with a 20 per cent surge last year due to rising costs, the growth of organised crime rings and a perception of reduced police presence. In the year to May 2025, figures showed 102,083 shoplifting offences in London, an annual increase of nearly 42 per cent. Organised retail crime costs the British economy an estimated £2 billion a year and often acts as a source of funding for other criminal activities such as drug trafficking and modern slavery. The force said 32 suspects — most of whom have been bailed — were detained in relation to handling stolen goods, drug offences and immigration violations. Up to 300 officers were involved in Operation Zoridon, which followed months of work by detectives gathering evidence. They handed out warrants and conducted licensing checks at businesses alongside officials from Trading Standards, Border Force and the London Fire Brigade. But lead officer Superintendent Luke Baldock has urged the courts system to “secure longer closure orders and shut down these illicit shops for good”. He said: "This operation sent a clear message to anyone profiting from stolen goods and contributing to rising prices for Londoners: if you buy or sell stolen items, your licence will be revoked and your premises shut down. “Rogue shopkeepers who trade in stolen goods are funding criminal activity and driving up costs for everyone. They’re keeping thieves in business at the expense of hard-working, law-abiding retailers.” The Met coated commonly stolen items, such as food and alcohol, with forensic liquid markers which leaves a unique DNA trace on skin and clothing. This allowed officers to trace the goods back to the original retailers. A dog was also trained to sniff out SelectaDNA markings as they searched properties. In one instance, officers discovered more than 150 suspected stolen items at a store in Bromley, south London, including earphones, speakers, and LEGO sets, as well as £70,000 in cash and luxury watches at a related address. Officers also visited an off-licence in Willesden, north London and seized around £1,500 worth of goods believed to have been stolen, such as Starbucks travel mugs and Waterstones umbrellas. The business received a closure order from the LFB. And at a shop in Hanwell, west London, officers discovered own-brand Lidl products, such as honey, flour and lemon curd. Police minister Sarah Jones said: “For too long shop workers have been devastated by theft and abuse, with prolific offenders stealing at will believing they are above the law. This stops now. “We want to see operations like this replicated across the country, to bring more of these thieves to justice and restore some much-needed reassurance to communities.” James Lowman, head of the Association of Convenience Stores, added: “We welcome this decisive action by the Met Police to close shops selling stolen goods. “Using licensing and anti-social behaviour powers to shut them down delivers swift and visible results for local communities and responsible retailers.” Earlier this year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said forces will recruit 3,000 extra neighbourhood officers and community support officers by March 2026 focused on patrolling town centres.
