Local Police Claim Continuing Success for Shoplifting Blitz

Say retailers are reporting significant drop in offences

PCSO Cheryl in Snappy Snaps spreading the message on shoplifting back in 2023. Picture: @MPSChiswick

The police in Chiswick are claiming that their efforts to reduce shoplifting in Chiswick continue to be successful.

More recent data has already shown that the level of offences on the High Road have dropped from the peaks seen in previous years, but officers are continuing to focus on serial offenders.

In his latest update on the Met Engage system, Sgt Gareth O’Donnell relates that a prolific shoplifter who has a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning her from Chiswick was arrested for shoplifting and breaching her CBO. She has been charged and sent to court and will be sentenced in January.

Another shoplifter was recently arrested and sent to court where he was fined, whilst a third was issued a banning notice and given a community resolution.

Sgt O’Donnell says, “Feedback from most of the shops that we spoke to is that shoplifting is at a much lower level then it was 18 months ago which I have no doubt is in large part due to proactive targeted activity we have been doing.”

The local police team continues to focus on ward priorities set by Ward Panels and issues raised by residents. Whilst targeting begging on the High Road, a male was identified as wanted for over a year for breach of court order and arrested to be sent to court. A homeless male behaving in an anti-social manner near the High Road was found to be wanted for failing to appear at court for assault on an emergency worker and was arrested to face those charges.

Drug use in public is also being targeted with two cannabis warnings issued in the Welstead Way Carpark as well a one cannabis warning and one Penalty Notice on Turnham Green.

The team was also involved in the recent eBike crackdown with two illegal bikes seized on the High Road with their riders now facing a day in court.

Despite these successes, there are some types of crime that are on the increase with officers saying that vehicle crime is currently too high for their liking. Most reports are where people leave bags with valuables in the car. Burglaries are on the increase which is normal for this time of year and officers advise ensuring that windows and doors are kept locked and houses are not left in darkness in the evenings.

There have also been two recent phone snatches by suspects on bikes/eBikes. This type of offence had not been seen in the area for some time and police believe they could have been isolated incidents but are advising people to be careful when out and about with your phones in hand and be aware of your surroundings. Any suspicious behaviour of persons on eBikes (ie looking into cars) should be reported via 999.

The local team is celebrating Chiswick wards taking up three of the top four stops in the borough for sign ups to Met Engage with over 1,100 residents registering.

Click here to sign up for Met Engage if you haven’t already done so.