A two-week Metropolitan Police operation targeting shops suspected of buying and reselling stolen goods has resulted in 42 arrests and closure notices for 11 shops across London. Around 400 premises were visited by officers as part of the crackdown, with tens of thousands of pounds worth of suspected stolen stock seized, ranging from food products to expensive cosmetics and electrical goods.
Operation details and forensic marking
Months of joint work between the Met, retailers and Trading Standards ahead of the operation helped identify rogue businesses suspected of handling stolen goods. Retailers highlighted the products most frequently targeted by thieves, and these items were marked with SelectaDNA, a forensic marking solution that leaves a unique traceable code identifiable under UV light. This enables officers to link recovered goods directly back to the stores they were stolen from.
Intelligence shows that prolific shoplifters are stealing to order from high street retailers, targeting specific products requested by those buying and reselling stolen goods. These 'shopping lists' help fuel the organised criminal supply chain.
Arrests and seizures across the capital
During the operation, several notable incidents were recorded. In Lewisham on Monday, 19 October, a licensing check led to the recovery of suspected stolen Tesco tinned mackerel, a machete, and suspected stolen passports and driving licences stored in a sweet tin. Two suspects were arrested for offences including handling stolen goods and possession of an offensive weapon.
In Clapham on Sunday, 19 October, officers recovered branded meat products from Sainsbury, Coop and Iceland to the value of £1,000, two knives and a large quantity of Class B drugs during a licensing check. In Hounslow on Monday, 12 October, a warrant executed alongside Trading Standards led to the seizure of £15,000 in cash and 300 suspected stolen mobile phones. Two men were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and a three-month closure order was granted for the store.
In Brixton on Monday, 19 October, dozens of suspected stolen mobile phones and more than £5,000 in cash were seized during a warrant at a mobile phone shop. Three men were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and money laundering. In Southall on Monday, 12 October, 10 bottles of Boots suncream and three bottles of M&S wine were recovered during a licensing check, and one woman was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Warnings to car boot sale organisers
For the first time, the Met has issued warning notices to car boot sale organisers, making clear they could face criminal liability if they knowingly facilitate or ignore the sale of stolen, counterfeit and illicit goods at their events.
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.”
He added: “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.”
Mayor and partners respond
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. The lead up to Christmas is vital to London’s economy and we must do everything we can to prevent criminals exploiting busy shopping periods and inflicting so much misery on our hardworking business owners and staff.” He noted that intensified action by the Met and its partners has led to the number of shoplifting offences being solved doubling, resulting in 1,800 additional arrests.
Tesco UK shrink and security director Rachel Bennett said: “This operation is a powerful example of what can be achieved through that collaboration, helping to drive retail crime out of communities and creating safer environments for everyone.” Ed Woodall, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “We fully support the Met’s efforts to shut down those selling stolen goods in the capital, and need to continue disrupting the illicit networks that steal from legitimate retailers, prop up dodgy shops, and engage in a long list of other criminal activity.”
Clair Frame, director of UK sales & business development at SelectaDNA, said: “Operation Zoridon continues to go from strength to strength, and its success comes down to collaboration. Retailers share what they’re seeing on the shop floor, officers turn that into targeted action, and we support both with deployment of SelectaDNA solutions to mark stock, which is vulnerable to theft, as well as detection through the use of our SelectaDNA search dog.”
Across London in 2025, shoplifting fell by 3.7 per cent, around 3,500 fewer offences, while positive outcomes for shoplifting investigations doubled. In boroughs where new retail crime reporting technology has been introduced, positive outcomes have quadrupled this year. The operation is part of the Met’s continued work to tackle retail crime, with the mayor and police promising to continue working with retail leads and partners to prevent shoplifting and make the capital safer.
