Key Points
- Metropolitan Police conducted largest-ever operation against organised shoplifting gangs in London, targeting over 120 retail outlets.
- 32 arrests made for offences including handling stolen goods, drug offences, and immigration violations.
- Police seized thousands of stolen items worth hundreds of thousands of pounds including branded food, electrical devices, cosmetics, LEGO sets, and children’s toys.
- Operation included raids on an off-licence in Willesden, North London, where around £1,500 worth of stolen goods were recovered.
- Stores involved received closure orders, including the Willesden off-licence from which stolen items such as Starbucks travel mugs, LEGO sets, designer sunglasses, and electronic toothbrushes were seized.
- The operation was part of Operation Zoridon, involving more than 300 officers from Metropolitan Police, Trading Standards, London Fire Brigade, and Border Force.
- Superintendent Luke Baldock highlighted the connection between stolen goods trade, criminal gangs, and rising costs to Londoners.
- Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed support for the police action, emphasising community safety and justice.
- Videos and detailed footage from the raids are publicly available through official Metropolitan Police channels.
What was the scope and scale of the police operation in North London and beyond?
The Metropolitan Police conducted their largest targeted crackdown on organised shoplifting gangs to date, in a meticulously planned operation spanning two days. As reported by the Police Press Office, over 300 officers, supported by Trading Standards, London Fire Brigade, and Border Force, carried out raids on more than 120 shops across London, including an off-licence in Willesden, North London. This massive police effort, named Operation Zoridon, aimed to disrupt the network of criminal groups buying stolen merchandise from major retailers and selling the goods at discounted prices.
During the raids, the officers arrested 32 individuals on various charges such as handling stolen goods, drug offences, and immigration violations. Multiple stores, including nine in London, were served with immediate closure notices to prevent further unlawful trading. The police seized thousands of stolen items valued at hundreds of thousands of pounds, such as branded food, makeup, electrical goods, LEGO sets, coffee products, umbrellas, and children’s toys, corroborating the widespread nature of the illicit trade.
What specific discoveries were made at the Willesden off-licence?
As reported by the Convenience Store magazine on October 22, 2025, the Willesden off-licence was a key target within the crackdown. Officers seized stock worth approximately £1,500, comprising an eclectic mix of stolen goods. These included Starbucks travel mugs, LEGO building sets, designer sunglasses, hair straighteners, electronic toothbrushes, branded children’s toys, shavers, and umbrellas from Waterstones. The London Fire Brigade issued a closure order on the premises following the raid due to safety concerns.
This particular seizure highlights how stolen merchandise permeates not only high-value technology and branded foods but also everyday consumer items that are readily resold at local businesses. Superintendent Luke Baldock emphasised that such rogue shopkeepers are financially enabling organised criminal networks, which often have links to drug-related activities and violence, thereby destabilising communities and increasing overall costs to consumers.
Who led the operation and what statements were made by officials?
Superintendent Luke Baldock, the lead officer for Operation Zoridon, underscored the gravity of the crime and the police’s robust response. In his statement, Baldock said,
“This operation sent a clear message to anyone profiting from stolen goods and contributing to rising prices for Londoners: if you buy or sell stolen items, your licence will be revoked and your premises shut down.”
He further underlined the non-victimless nature of shoplifting, stressing that the operation removed the criminal profits that fund broader organised criminal activity.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, praised the operation as a major step toward building a safer city. He noted,
“This major action has seen raids on more than 100 shops suspected of reselling stolen goods and thousands of pounds worth of items seized.”
Khan pointed out ongoing efforts to reduce theft and robbery, encouraging continued police work and community cooperation in tackling crime that impacts Londoners daily.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also expressed support, reaffirming commitment to community safety and the enforcement of laws against organised criminal enterprises.
How did police conduct the operation and what tools were used?
The operation involved meticulous intelligence gathering, months of planning, surveillance, and the use of advanced forensic methods. Notably, the Metropolitan Police employed SelectaDNA, a synthetic liquid marking technology used to tag commonly stolen goods such as food and alcohol. The marking allows police to trace recovered items back to their original retailers, offering compelling evidence for prosecutions.
Specially trained dogs were deployed to sniff for these markings during property searches, enhancing detection capabilities. Officers also executed licensing checks alongside other enforcement agencies to disrupt the illegal trading networks holistically.
What are the wider implications of this crackdown for London’s retail and community safety?
The crackdown demonstrates a decisive effort by law enforcement to dismantle the complex criminal networks profiting from organised shoplifting, which not only causes financial losses to retailers but also increases prices for everyday consumers. Superintendent Baldock highlighted that these shopkeepers and gangs perpetuate violence and drug-related crimes, stressing the broader social cost of such illegal activities.
The high-profile roles of the Metropolitan Police, Trading Standards, and local authorities illustrate a multi-agency approach essential for sustained crime reduction in retail environments. Closure orders on offending premises aim to permanently disrupt these illegal operations.
As noted by Sir Sadiq Khan, the focus on neighbourhood policing and prioritising crimes that affect Londoners directly is showing promising results, with 92% more shoplifting cases solved this year. The success of Operation Zoridon is expected to be a model for ongoing enforcement strategies.
Where can the public view footage and find more information about these raids?
Videos documenting the police actions at key locations, including the Willesden off-licence, are available through the Metropolitan Police’s official video archive on Box.com, offering transparency and public insight into the scope of the operation. These visual records include officers executing search warrants, confiscating items, and making arrests, reinforcing the message that organised crime linked to stolen goods is under stringent scrutiny.
Residents and businesses concerned about retail crime and community safety can follow updates via Metropolitan Police press releases and public statements by local officials, which provide further context on continuing efforts to safeguard London’s retail precincts.
