Special Report: Thieves Targeting Elm Park Caught By Police Officers-But Theft Still Under Reported By Stores.

Havering continues to be plagued by shoplifting, but ongoing work between shopkeepers and local ward officers is showing progress. Police say constructive engagement is making a difference, but underreporting and high staff turnover in retail outlets mean many thefts are still going unrecorded.

Yesterday, The Havering Daily joined police officers in Elm Park as they spoke to retail workers about the impact shoplifting continues to have on local stores. While many shopkeepers reported that thefts had decreased, incidents were still happening regularly, with offenders moving from one shop to the next.

One local resident described how a thief was seen running from Sainsbury’s to Tesco before being swiftly apprehended by officers as he attempted to escape down Elm Park Avenue.

South Havering Inspector Mark Connolly and Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Matt Atkins led the walk, speaking to numerous food outlets and stores along the parade. A recurring theme was that many incidents were logged internally but not reported to police, meaning officers were unaware of the true scale of the problem.

Inspector Connolly told The Havering Daily:
“Yesterday marked a community walk and talk within Elm Park. I discussed concerns with local residents and businesses across Elm Park parade. A common theme was shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Myself and PS Atkins spoke with businesses such as Greggs and Sainsbury’s, with both stores raising concerns about theft. It was recognised that local businesses need to work closely with their Safer Neighbourhood Teams to deal with those committing theft.”

Inspector Connolly and Sergeant Atkins join retail workers in Elm Park

Some businesses admitted they had CCTV footage but were unable to use it effectively. Staff at Greggs reported that groups of schoolchildren, they believed to be from Hornchurch High School Year 11, frequently entered the shop on Friday afternoons and stole handfuls of food in their uniforms. Police confirmed they are working to identify the pupils and other offenders, and hand them with Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) already being issued and more pending with the CPS.

Inspector Connolly added:
“The Elm Park team have been successful in applying for multiple Criminal Behaviour Orders within the parade area, with numerous applications pending with the CPS. Elm Park currently sits in sixth position across Havering in the table of top 20 wards for ASB reports over a month.”

Stores were repeatedly reminded of the importance of reporting all crimes and encouraged to sign up to Met Engage, the new platform allowing businesses to communicate directly with their local ward teams. Officers also expressed frustration that, despite their efforts, thefts continued to go unreported.

Retail workers described their own challenges, with one stating that if they attempted to stop a thief or recover stolen goods, they risked losing their job. Staff also criticised the limitations placed on security guards, who are unable to physically intervene.

Police are urging all businesses to work more closely with local Safer Neighbourhood Teams by reporting every incident and joining Met Engage to ensure offenders are identified and dealt with.

Inspector Connolly finished by adding:

“Having spoken with multiple residents within the community, it is clear more engagement is needed to encourage residents to fully understand the benefits. I would ask residents to take 2 minuets out of their day and register on their phone or computer.

“Elm Park remains a priority for my teams. The local ward panel is another option for local businesses and residents to join in with active discussions directly with the team. PS Mathew Atkin can be contacted directly via www.metengage.co.uk. The ward panel gives residents and businesses the opportunity to set local priorities with their policing team once every three months. I want to reassure the community that your local team is working non stop to deal with concerns you raise. If you see a crime being committed please call 999. If its non urgent please call 101. Please encourge friends and neighbours to join us in future discussions and sign up too  www.metengage.co.uk”

On the walkabout we also visited the incredible Ripu from Havering’s best takeaway, The Fat Pizza, where officers stopped and chatted to talk about a variety of ways of working together. Ripu and Sunny are two incredible local community heroes who support their community tirelessly.

This was a very constructive walkabout, that was able to highlight the positives the police are working on, and how the community can work more closely with officers to target offenders.

Officers met community hero Ripu from the award winning The Fat Pizza in Elm Park.

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