15 hours ago
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The Metropolitan Police person raided much than 120 shops suspected of selling stolen goods successful the force's largest ever crackdown connected shoplifting.
Officers arrested 32 radical and seized thousands of items, including food, make-up and electrical devices, worthy hundreds of thousands of pounds.
More than 300 officers were progressive successful the blitz implicit 2 days this period targeting stores suspected of selling goods stolen from large retailers astatine discounted prices.
Nine shops person been served with closure notices arsenic portion of Operation Zoridon.
Superintendent Luke Baldock said: "Shoplifting is not a victimless transgression and the gangs progressive are organised and person links to drugs and violence.
"Rogue shopkeepers who commercialized successful stolen goods are backing transgression enactment and driving up costs for everyone.
"They're keeping thieves successful concern astatine the disbursal of hard-working, law-abiding retailers."
Seven radical were arrested and astir 2,000 phones seized successful a raid connected a store successful Woolwich, south-east London.
Police body-worn footage shows officers entering the store earlier prying unfastened an bureau doorway to observe "loads and loads and loads" of suspected stolen devices successful cabinets.
A country hidden down a partition sheet successful the basement was besides recovered to incorporate much phones and different devices, portion a concealed compartment contained astir £50,000 worthy of gaming consoles.
Apple confirmed immoderate of the phones, accessories and packaging were fake.
Other footage released by constabulary shows officers uncovering razor blades, Starbucks question cups, umbrellas from Waterstones and LEGO sets being sold successful an off-licence successful Willesden, north-west London.
Three radical were arrested and the store was issued with a closure bid from London Fire Brigade.
The Met said the unit is moving with businesses to ace down connected the astir prolific shoplifters crossed the superior and person solved 92% much shoplifting cases this year.
Officers connected a stakeout cognition successful the Co-Op subdivision successful Homerton High Street, northbound London, were filmed connected CCTV pouncing connected masked thieves arsenic they carried retired a raid successful December past year.
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One of the criminals is seen being tackled successful midair arsenic helium jumps from the antagonistic earlier landing connected a stack of brew boxes.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Shop theft is simply a scourge that tears astatine the cloth of communities.
"Growing up with parents who owned a country shop, I cognize first-hand that determination is thing 'low-level' astir these crimes.
"This authorities is putting 3,000 much neighbourhood constabulary connected our streets to drawback these criminals and bring them to justice."
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