Local Shoplifting Update - Prolific Offender Identified, Arrested and Charged

Local Shoplifting Update - Prolific Offender Identified, Arrested and Charged

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

PC Ralph has been tasked with focusing on the shoplifting issues in Biggin Hill. Through working closely with Waitrose and their staff, two prolific offenders have been identified. The investigation team at Bromley were contacted and through a joint effort, one of these offenders has been identified, arrested, charged and remanded for 7 shoplifting offences across Biggin Hill and Bromley. This individual caused over £4000 worth of loss to businesses.

The other male remains outstanding but work is being done to locate and arrest them also. We will continue to work closely with our local businesses to reduce shoplifting and protect stores from suffering loss.

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.