By SCM REPORTER
THE MET has declared war on the “light-fingered” mobs terrorising London’s high streets with a new hi-tech weapon that catches crooks in the act.
Scotland Yard revealed today that a digital “game changer” is allowing shops to beam CCTV footage of thefts directly to officers’ phones the moment they happen.
The technology—currently being tested in Lewisham and central London—is already smashing the city’s shoplifting epidemic, with one in five cases now ending in a collar.
In a massive win for fed-up shopkeepers, the new system has helped solve nearly double the number of retail crimes compared to last year.
Cops revealed that while only 20 per cent of shoplifting cases usually come with CCTV, those who do provide clear footage are almost certain to get caught. Using facial recognition, the Met can now identify a staggering 80 per cent of suspects caught on camera.
Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said:
“We are arresting repeat offenders who cause the most harm to retail staff and local businesses. Where we have trialled this technology, more than one in five cases are being solved.”
The crackdown has already snared some of London’s most prolific “super-thieves.” Recent busts include:
A 38-year-old man slapped with 39 charges.
A woman, 38, charged with 46 offences—including 23 counts of shoplifting.
