Hanwell Shop Raided in Crackdown on Organised Shoplifting

Lidl branded products found to be on sale

Officers search a shop store room during the operation . Picture: Met Police

October 21, 2025

A shop in Hanwell was among more than 120 businesses raided last week as part of the Metropolitan Police’s largest targeted operation against organised shoplifting gangs. Officers arrested two individuals at the off-licence — one for immigration offences and another for handling stolen goods — and seized a range of items believed to have been stolen from major retailers. The police have not officially identified the shop that was the target of the operation.

Among the goods recovered were multiple own-brand products from Lidl, including honey, flour, rice, and lemon curd, as well as six boxes of Nespresso coffee pods. The presence of supermarket-branded items in a non-affiliated store raised concerns about the scale and reach of resale networks linked to shoplifting.

The Hanwell raid formed part of Operation Zoridon, a two-day initiative involving over 300 officers from across the Met, supported by Trading Standards, the London Fire Brigade, and Border Force. The operation targeted businesses suspected of buying and reselling stolen goods, with nine stores served closure notices and 32 people arrested across London for offences including drug possession, immigration violations, and handling stolen property.

Superintendent Luke Baldock, who led the operation, said the crackdown aimed to disrupt the cycle of theft and resale that contributes to rising costs for consumers and funds wider criminal activity. “Rogue shopkeepers who trade in stolen goods are keeping thieves in business at the expense of hard-working, law-abiding retailers,” he said.

The Met used a range of tactics, including surveillance, licensing checks, and SelectaDNA — a synthetic liquid used to trace stolen items back to retailers. A specially trained dog assisted officers in identifying marked goods during searches.

The operation follows growing concern from residents and business owners about the impact of organised shoplifting on local communities.

The Met reports a 92% increase in solved shoplifting cases this year, part of a broader push to prioritise neighbourhood policing and tackle crimes that affect everyday Londoners.