Croydon to pilot electronic tagging for prolific shoplifters

Croydon Council is preparing to launch a pilot scheme for electronic tagging of prolific shoplifters later this year, according to the borough's elected mayor, Jason Perry. The proposed system aims to track offenders and prevent them from entering specific shopping areas where they have been banned.

Mayor Perry stated the pilot is expected to begin within the next two months, making Croydon the first London borough to implement such a measure. Discussions are underway with the Metropolitan Police regarding the operational details of the tagging system, which would be managed through police and court channels.

Impact on Local Businesses

The initiative has been cautiously welcomed by local retailers who have experienced significant losses due to persistent theft. Ben Selvaratnam, owner of Freshfields Market and co-founder of the Croydon Business Association, described daily incidents of shoplifting costing his family-run business hundreds of pounds. He highlighted the potential for abuse and aggression when challenging offenders.

Selvaratnam expressed hope that the GPS tracking system would provide consequences for repeat offenders, but stressed the importance of effective enforcement. "They just can't be an expensive ankle bracelet," he told BBC London.

Shoplifting Statistics and Previous Measures

Croydon recorded 4,796 shop thefts in its town centre over the last 12 months, a slight decrease from 5,043 the previous year, Croydon Council reported. Mayor Perry attributed the reduction in crime to a combination of measures, including the recent rollout of live facial recognition cameras by the Metropolitan Police, supported by the council. A public space protection order has also reportedly reduced anti-social behaviour by 24% over three years.

Across London, the Metropolitan Police recorded 90,071 shoplifting offences in 2025-26. Data gathered by the BBC indicated that London accounted for 18% of shoplifting crimes recorded in England and Wales during that period. However, the Met had a 70% rate of investigations where no suspect was identified, higher than the national average.

The Metropolitan Police also introduced a new reporting platform in August to several London boroughs, enabling retailers to submit evidence directly to the police. In boroughs piloting this technology, the rate of cases resulting in a caution, charge, or other criminal disposal increased significantly.

Political and Public Reaction

Councillor Janet Campbell, representing the Labour group on Croydon Council, supported the concept of tagging prolific offenders but called for more detailed information from the mayor regarding funding and the council's authority to implement the proposal. "What they deserve is some detail as to how this is going to happen, where the funding is going to come from, and will he have the power to fulfil this proposal," she stated.

A pilot scheme in East Sussex, which involved fitting prolific shoplifters with GPS ankle tags to monitor their entry into banned shopping areas, was reported to have prevented 100 shop thefts. This resulted in estimated savings of £5,600 in police costs and £28,300 in wider criminal justice costs, according to Sussex Police.

What Happens Next

Croydon Council plans to launch the electronic tagging pilot scheme within the next two months. Further details on the operational framework, funding, and the specific powers required for its implementation are expected to be released by Mayor Jason Perry's office.