East Putney officers have arrested a prolific shoplifter on a recent foot patrol. They were already known to the ward team, on a Criminal Behaviour Order, and in breach of bail conditions.
Officers recovered a hidden bottle and returned it to the shop. They were then taken back to prison.
It is the ward team’s first community update in nearly a fortnight. Shoplifting has been a continuing concern across Putney. Thamesfield police officers made a similar arrest in January, when a man was caught taking more than £200 of women’s clothing from a high street shop.
The announcement came the day before East Putney’s Ward Panel meeting – happening tonight – where residents set local policing priorities for the next three months. Shopkeepers, staff and residents who have witnessed shoplifting are exactly the people Ward Panels exist to hear from.
The ward team’s current priorities are drug-related violence on Rayners Road, Cabalt Road, Carlton Drive and Strathan Close; burglary across the ward; and vehicle crime, particularly high-end cars in the south of the ward. Shoplifting is not on the list. Wednesday’s panel is where that could change.
The meeting is at 6pm tonight at Putney High School library. As well as pick the three local issues they most want officers to focus on, the meeting is an opportunity to meet the ward’s police team in person to raise specific concerns. The priorities set on Wednesday will shape foot patrols, targeted operations and partnership work for the next three months. Anyone with a view on shoplifting or other crime in the area can shape what comes next.
For residents who can’t make Wednesday, reports of shoplifting or suspicious activity at a high street shop go to 101 or met.police.uk. Anonymous reports go to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Officers also publish ward updates through Met Engage, the Met’s free community alert system.
Wednesday’s meeting is the simplest way for residents to push shoplifting up the list of local policing priorities.
