Local Shoplifting Update - Another prolific offender charged and remanded

Local Shoplifting Update - Another prolific offender charged and remanded

You raised shoplifting as a concern, so here’s a quick local update.

PC Ralph has worked closely with Waitrose to identify two prolific offenders for shoplifting offences in Biggin Hill. Both these males have now been arrested, charged and remanded for multiple shoplifting offences amounting to over £4000 worth of loss.

Work will continue with all local businesses and shops to identify, locate and arrest shoplifters and protect stores from suffering financial losses and disrupting the community from going about their daily shops.

The Met is cracking down on street crime, like shoplifting, people doing drugs and phone-snatching. 

We’ve put hundreds more officers on the frontlines of community crime-fighting teams, upping visible patrols in the right ‘hot spots’ so we can deter and catch criminals.

We’re now arresting more than 1,000 extra criminals every month and seeing ‘neighbourhood crime’ down 14%.

But we know there is more to do. That’s why we’re stepping up our use of technology, increasing our operations and working with retailers to make it less appealing for criminals to commit these crimes in the first place.

If you notice anything suspicious or witness anyone shoplifting, please report it as soon as possible. These reports are invaluable in letting us build a picture of when and where shop lifters operate, meaning we can be in the right place at the right time to arrest those responsible. 

For more guidance, see our page on how to spot a shoplifter.