Met police raid 400 London shops in retail crime crackdown

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:15 · Archive

Metropolitan Police arrested 42 people and seized tens of thousands of pounds in stolen goods during a two-week operation targeting shops and car boot sales suspected of buying and reselling stolen items.

The Metropolitan Police have arrested 42 people and seized tens of thousands of pounds in stolen goods during a two-week crackdown on retail crime in London. The operation, codenamed Zoridon, involved visits to approximately 400 shops suspected of buying and reselling stolen goods, as well as car boot sales suspected of selling stolen tools.

Seized items included 300 phones, cosmetics, electrical goods and food products. Officers also recovered £15,000 in cash from a phone store in Hounslow, West London, and found drugs, stolen passports and identification documents. A machete was also recovered. Closure notices were issued for 11 shops.

The operation targeted what police described as the entire 'criminal chain', from prolific shoplifters stealing items to order, through to shop owners buying and reselling stolen goods. According to the Met, shoplifters provide 'shopping lists' to those running rogue businesses, helping to fuel organised criminal supply chains.

Retailers and Trading Standards officers worked with the Metropolitan Police to identify rogue businesses in the months before the operation. Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said: 'Honest retailers have been clear that they want action against the minority of rogue businesses that fuel retail crime, undercut legitimate traders and damage confidence in our high streets. This Met operation has done exactly that, targeting those who create a market for stolen goods and profit from criminality.'

Jukes added: 'Those results send a clear message: if you profit from retail crime, you will be arrested.'

How it is being reported

• Met Police target London car boot sales and hundreds of shops in crackdown on retail crimeTens of thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods were recovered and 42 people arrested during Operation ZoridonEvening Standard · 22 Oct, 07:06
• Metropolitan Police crackdown on retail crime and rogue businesses results in just over 40 arrestsA crackdown on retail crime by the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrest of 42 people and the recovery of tens of thousands of pounds of stolen goods. Around 400 shops suspected of having bought and resold stolen goods were inspected by officers as part of a major operation, the force said. Retailers and Trading Standards worked with the force to identify rogue businesses in the months before the operation. Seized goods ranged from expensive cosmetics and electrical goods to food products. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Closure notices were issued for 11 shops. The operation also…GB News · 22 Oct, 07:00
• Police bust 400 London shops and ‘rogue’ car boot sales handing ‘shopping lists’ to thievesThe Met had arrested 42 people and seized up to £100,000 in suspected stolen goods in busts on ‘rogue’ shops across London . Officers raided 400 shops suspected of selling stolen goods including iPhones, in a two-week operation codenamed Zoridon. Cosmetics and food were also among the items being…Metro · 22 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Metropolitan Police · Matt Jukes · London · Hounslow · Brixton

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