New technology being rolled out as part of the Met’s crackdown on retail crime has helped catch criminals targeting BP forecourts as well as other retailers across London.
The system, which until now has been piloted in six London boroughs, will be in use in a further eight boroughs from today, 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.
Recent examples of cases originating from reports using the new technology include Michael Belgrave, who was sentenced at Ealing Magistrates’ Court to nine months imprisonment and made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Belgrave stole more than £4,000-worth of goods from a number of stores including Greggs and BP. The five-year CBO bans him from entering any branch of Holland & Barrett, Greggs or BP not just in Ealing, but across England and Wales.
And Gary Curran was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to 12 months imprisonment for 20 shoplifting offences. Curran stole £9,000-worth of goods from stores including BP and Boots.
New figures 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 average prior to its introduction was just 7.3%.
Chief inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for business crime, says: “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 are increasing our capability to catch you and put you before the courts.”
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 pilot, the Met is expanding its use to retailers in Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon, Ealing and Hounslow.
