Met Police tech quadruples shoplifter prosecutions in Barnet and London

Barnet retailers will be able to submit CCTV footage and witness statements directly to Metropolitan Police officers from 3 August 2026, as part of a tech rollout that has already quadrupled the number of shoplifters prosecuted in London. The system, currently used in six boroughs, will expand to eight more, including Barnet, Hillingdon and Ealing.

The platform allows store staff to upload evidence at the point a crime is reported. Previously, officers could wait up to 28 days for footage and statements. Now, the Met receives material within minutes, enabling faster arrests and stronger cases. The force said the change has increased the proportion of cases with a positive outcome, such as a charge, caution or other disposal, from 7.3% to 29.4%.

Retail crime falls as arrests rise

Reported shoplifting offences across London fell by 3.7% in the last financial year, a reduction of around 3,500 crimes. Over the same period, the Met made almost 50% more arrests for retail crime, with positive outcomes more than doubling from 2,682 to 5,996. The force attributed the improvements to the new reporting system and increased enforcement.

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for business crime, said the results demonstrated the impact of the technology. He told London Crime News: “By receiving CCTV footage and evidence directly from retailers at the point a crime is committed, we can build stronger cases and act more decisively.”

Barnet retailers to join scheme next month

The platform is already used by major chains including Boots, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Greggs in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. From 3 August, retailers in Barnet, Southwark, Lambeth, Sutton, Croydon, Bromley, Hillingdon and Ealing will be able to subscribe.

Julie Murphy, Vice President for London and Travel at Boots, said the system had helped focus resources on high-harm offenders. She said: “Harnessing retail crime technology enables our store teams to report incidents more quickly and effectively to the Police.” Boots stores across London already use the platform.

Recent prosecutions under the scheme

The Met provided examples of cases where the new system led to convictions. On 12 June 2026, Michael Belgrave, 55, of no fixed address, was sentenced to nine months in prison and a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for stealing more than £4,000 worth of goods from Greggs and BP stores. The CBO bans him from entering any Holland & Barrett, Greggs or BP branch in England and Wales.

On 30 July 2026, Hassan Hannach, 47, of Chiswick, received a 12-month community order, a fine and a five-year CBO for shoplifting. The order bans him from entering any commercial premises on Chiswick High Road, wearing a face covering in a retail setting, or possessing unpaid-for goods worth more than £10 in original packaging.

In March 2026, Gary Curran, 56, was jailed for 12 months after stealing £9,000 worth of goods from Boots and BP stores. The cases were built using evidence submitted through the new platform.

What happens next

Barnet retailers will be able to register for the platform from 3 August 2026. The Met said it plans to expand the system to more boroughs in the coming months but did not specify which or when. Retailers interested in joining should contact their local business crime unit for details.