Met seizes thousands in stolen goods during retail crime crack down
Over 300 suspected stolen phones and £15,000 was seized from just one store in Hounslow.
The Metropolitan says the fight 'against rogue retailers' is working after a recent crack down saw 42 people arrested and 11 shops ordered to close.
During the 2-week crack down, around 400 shops suspected of buying and reselling stolen goods were visited by officers from the Met.
Thousands of pounds worth of suspected stolen items, including food, cosmetics and electrical goods, were seized.
Ahead of the operation, the Met worked with retailers and trading standards for months to help identify rogue businesses suspected of selling stolen merchandise.
Car boot sales were also targeted, with the Met issuing warning notices to sale organisers outlining that criminal consequences could be enforced if they knowingly facilitated or ignored the sale of stolen, counterfeit or illicit goods at their events.
One warrant executed in Hounslow saw £15,000 in cash and 300 suspected stolen mobile phones seized. Two men were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and a three-month closure order was granted to the store.
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.
“Over the last two weeks, Met officers have targeted every stage of the criminal chain, from prolific shoplifters stealing to order through to the shop owners buying and reselling stolen goods.
"Tens of thousands of pounds worth of suspected stolen goods have been seized, shop owners arrested and businesses closed down.
“Those results send a clear message: if you profit from retail crime, you will be arrested. Working alongside partners such as retailers and Trading Standards, we will use every power available to disrupt this criminality, protect honest businesses and make London's high streets safer.”