Metropolitan Police vape raid

The Metropolitan Police has disrupted rogue traders across the capital in what has been described as the “UK’s largest ever crackdown on organised shoplifting gangs”.

Over two days last week, officers raided more than 120 shops - many of which were c-stores - suspected of buying items stolen from major retailers and reselling them at discounted prices.

Officers arrested 32 people and seized thousands of stolen items including branded food, make-up and electrical devices, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Nine shops were handed closure orders as a result of Operation Zoridon. 

Convenience Store was present for a raid on a vape store in southeast London as part of the two-day stint. 

Police stormed the store following intelligence reports that it was selling illicit vapes and supplying to minors.

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It is now illegal for businesses to sell single-use vapes in the UK

Trading Standards were seen clearing shelves laden with illegal single-use vapes. Grey market goods were also removed from sale.

Speaking exclusively to Convenience Store, Commander Andy Featherstone described the vape shop as a “business model of crime” connected to 20 other stores selling illegal goods in south London.

Featherstone said the store operates without holding stock on premises and instead uses “just-in-time delivery” when needed.

More than 300 officers from across the force were involved in the operation, with support from major retailers such as The Co-op. 

Officers carried out warrants and conducted licensing checks at businesses alongside officials from Trading Standards, the London Fire Brigade and Border Force.

Arrests were made for various offences, including handling stolen goods, drug offences and immigration violations. Most of the 32 arrested have been bailed, according to the Met.

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Policing minister Sarah Jones and Commander Andy Featherstone were present for a raid on a vape store in southeast London

Speaking exclusively to Convenience Store, policing minister Sarah Jones said the operation was led by neighbourhood police teams.

“This is exactly what we want our neighbourhood police teams to be doing, out in the community, fighting crime and working together,” said the minister. 

“That’s why we’re putting 13,000 more police on our high streets. Publicly visible so they can build those relationships with people who are running the shops, and you don’t get a response that says “there’s not much we can do” because that’s not good enough”.

The operation followed months of planning to identify businesses and organised crime groups that were suspected of handling stolen goods.

Officers marked commonly stolen items, such as chocolate and alcohol, with SelectaDNA – a UV-reactive substance - so they could be traced back to the original retailers. Such move would help strengthen the evidence case for officers to bring prosecutions, said the force.

A dog trained to sniff out SelectaDNA markings also assisted officers as they searched properties.

Three people were arrested after £1,500 worth of items believed to be stolen were seized from an off-licence in Willesden. Items included Starbucks travel mugs, Lego building sets, umbrellas from Waterstones, electronic toothbrushes and branded children’s toys. The store was ordered to close by the London Fire Brigade.

A further two arrests came from an off-license in Hanwell. One for immigration offences and the other for handling stolen goods, including own-brand Lidl products and Nespresso coffee pods.

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Convenience Store also accompanied the Met Police for a licensing check at a c-store in Kingston, which formed part of the operation

Superintendent Luke Baldock, lead officer for Operation Zoridon, said rogue shopkeepers who trade in stolen goods are “keeping thieves in business at the expense of hard-working, law-abiding retailers”. 

“Some of these shops were found to be profiting from stolen goods and contributing to rising prices for Londoners. We’re sending a clear message: if you buy or sell stolen items, your licence will be revoked and your premises shut down,” said Baldock.

“We will now make robust evidential cases to the courts to secure longer closure orders and we ask their support to ensure these illicit shops are permanently closed.”

The Association of Convenience Stores said it welcomed the “decisive action” to close shops selling stolen goods. 

“These businesses fuel retail crime and anti-social behaviour, and blight communities across London,” said chief executive James Lowman.

“Using licensing and anti-social behaviour powers to shut them down delivers swift and visible results for local communities and responsible retailers. This is a strong example of enforcement that works, and we would like to see other forces across the country follow the Met’s approach.”

Present at the operation, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan commented: ”This operation sends a message that if you shoplift or trade in stolen goods, you will be brought to justice. We’ll continue working with the Met to tackle the crimes of most concern to Londoners as we build a safer London for everyone.”