Story Highlight
– Action plan launched to combat retail crime in London.
– Police prioritize violent incidents and organized crime enforcement.
– Retailers to enhance evidence sharing and communication.
– Crime and Policing Act empowers police to prosecute offenders.
– Improved collaboration and support for retail workers emphasized.
Full Story
Senior officials from the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, and leading UK retailers have crafted a comprehensive action plan aimed at combatting retail crime in London.
This initiative was discussed during a roundtable meeting held at New Scotland Yard on 1 July, which featured the Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner, two Deputy Mayors, and representatives from approximately 20 retail organisations.
The agreement centres on enhancing the sharing of evidence, collaborating throughout the criminal justice process, and elevating the importance of addressing retail crime.
The police committed to better prioritising responses to violent incidents and situations involving arrested suspects, ensuring timely updates on reported crimes, and targeting habitual offenders alongside organised crime groups.
Retailers pledged to maintain high standards of evidence collection—including CCTV and footage from body-worn cameras—preserving this information for police use. A designated point of contact within retail organisations will streamline communication to assist the criminal justice process.
As the largest police force in the UK, the Metropolitan Police plays a critical role in maintaining order in the capital, which is responsible for about 20% of the nation’s retail crime cases. Recent figures indicate the Met has made nearly 50% more arrests in 2025 and 2026, with the success rate for retail crime prosecutions, including charges or cautions, surging by 123% to 5,996 cases.
Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, remarked: “We hope today’s action plan can boost collaboration: working together and sharing intelligence is essential to tackling the scourge of retail crime. The theft already costs shops hundreds of millions of pounds every year—money that would be better spent investing in lower prices and improving the customer experience. The Crime and Policing Act offers police new powers to clamp down on criminals, and it is essential that offenders are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Better intelligence sharing, improving reporting, and robust enforcement are critical to turning the tide on retail crime once and for all.”
Matt Twist, the Assistant Commissioner for Frontline Policing at the Metropolitan Police, stated: “We understand that shoplifting has a corrosive impact on businesses, workers, and communities. That’s why we remain committed to engaging with the sector; today’s roundtable is another step in the right direction. By deploying more officers into our neighbourhoods, we have reduced shoplifting incidents by nearly four per cent, but we know there’s still more work to be done. Sharing evidence is crucial in building strong cases against offenders, and we will continue to work with businesses to ensure incidents are reported to bring those offenders to justice.”
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, highlighted: “The Mayor has collaborated with the Met to reduce shoplifting and theft across London. Record funding from City Hall is increasing officer presence in the West End and other hotspots, working alongside retailers to target repeat offenders and make London a hostile environment for shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. We have fostered excellent relationships with retailers, and today we discussed how to enhance these partnerships, the transformative potential of Live Facial Recognition technology in the West End, and the implementation of new IT tools to deter criminals and create a safer London for everyone.”
Chris Brook-Carter, Chief Executive of the Retail Trust, commented: “This action plan demonstrates the serious commitment from both the police and retailers to address retail crime, improve reporting mechanisms, and ensure shop workers receive proper support. Retail employees must know that each case of theft, violence, or abuse will be treated with urgency and that they will not face the aftermath alone. Supporting those affected by crime is as critical as stronger evidence sharing and stringent measures if we are to successfully bring more offenders to justice and enhance safety in shops for all.”
