Met Police Launch Largest Ever Crackdown on Stolen Goods Resale in London The Metropolitan Police have conducted a massive operation to tackle the resale of stolen goods in London, resulting in 42 arrests and 11 closure orders for shops. The operation, which involved visiting over 400 shops, market stalls, and car boot sales, aimed to target the networks that profit from theft and the individuals responsible for selling stolen goods. The crackdown, which was carried out over several days, saw officers seize a large quantity of stolen items, including mobile phones, tools, counterfeit products, and stolen food products. In one raid, police discovered several stolen phones being sold at a phone shop in Brixton, leading to the arrest of three men on suspicion of handling stolen goods. The police used a forensic marking solution called SelectaDNA to mark products that are commonly targeted by thieves, allowing them to track the origin of the stolen goods and shut down businesses that sell them. Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes stated that the operation was a significant step in addressing the issue of stolen goods resale in London. He emphasized that the police are targeting not only the individuals responsible for theft but also the businesses that profit from it. Jukes said, "We know that, on high streets like this one, businesses are suffering because of the thefts they experience, and we're even seeing businesses that are themselves receiving stolen goods selling them on. It matters. It matters to businesses, it matters to people's sense of safety in London." The operation also saw the Met issue warning notices to car boot sale organizers, making it clear that they could face criminal liability if they knowingly facilitate or ignore the sale of stolen, counterfeit, or illicit goods. The police are working with retailers to protect their products by marking them with SelectaDNA, a forensic marking solution that leaves a unique traceable code visible under UV light. This allows the police to track the origin of the stolen goods and shut down the businesses that sell them. The crackdown is part of the Met's ongoing efforts to tackle the issue of stolen goods resale in London. The operation demonstrates the police's commitment to protecting businesses and communities from the impact of theft and the resale of stolen goods.