Police have raided a shop in Hanwell as part of the Metropolitan Police’s largest-ever operation targeting organised shoplifting gangs across London.
Two people were arrested at the off-licence on suspicion of immigration offences and handling stolen goods. Officers seized a range of items believed to have been stolen, including own-brand Lidl products such as honey, flour, rice and lemon curd, along with six boxes of Nespresso coffee pods.
A Met Police spokesperson told EALING.NEWS they are not able to “identify the shop at this time as it’s before the courts”.
The raid was one of more than 120 carried out during Operation Zoridon, which saw 32 arrests and the recovery of thousands of stolen goods over two days. The Met said the operation focused on shops suspected of reselling items stolen from major retailers. Nine stores have been served with closure notices.
Superintendent Luke Baldock, who led the operation, said the crackdown sent a clear message to “rogue shopkeepers” profiting from theft. “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime,” he said. “Those who buy or sell stolen goods are funding criminal activity and driving up costs for everyone.”
In one of the largest seizures, police found around 2,000 mobile phones, many believed to be stolen, during a raid at a Woolwich store. The operation involved more than 300 officers and officials from Trading Standards, the London Fire Brigade and Border Force.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described the raids as “major action” against organised gangs, while ministers urged police forces across the country to replicate the Met’s approach.
