London Police Arrest 32 in Largest UK Shoplifting Crackdown

The Metropolitan Police executed Operation Zoridon, the largest-ever crackdown on organised shoplifting in the UK, involving more than 300 officers raiding over 120 shops across London suspected of buying and reselling stolen goods. The operation resulted in 32 arrests and the seizure of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stolen merchandise, including electronics, branded food, cosmetics, and counterfeit items. Nine stores were ordered to close following discoveries of hidden storage rooms and illicit goods, such as 2,000 stolen phones and £50,000 worth of gaming consoles. Authorities highlighted that these criminal enterprises fund broader illegal activities and impose significant financial and safety costs on retailers and communities, with shoplifting rates and losses rising sharply in recent years. The crackdown was supported by various agencies including Trading Standards, Border Force, and the London Fire Brigade, and received backing from London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Policing Minister Sarah Jones, both emphasizing the commitment to end the culture of impunity around retail crime. This operation reflects coordinated efforts to protect shop workers, reduce crime, and disrupt the criminal networks profiting from stolen goods.