Forensic Marking Could Be the Key to Slashing Shoplifting in Elm Park As Special Meeting Held.

Elm Park has made a clear stand against shoplifting as police, councillors, retailers and the local MP came together at a special crime prevention meeting to tackle the growing problem head-on. Led by the Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Team, the meeting sent a powerful message that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and that the community is standing united to protect its businesses.

On Monday 12 January, retailers gathered outside of the Fat Pizza, with police, Havering Council and local representatives to confront the ongoing issue of shoplifting in Elm Park. The meeting was organised by the Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Team and led by Inspector Connolly, with strong backing from the area’s Member of Parliament, Margaret Mullane MP, and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Councillor Barry Mugglestone.

A central focus of the meeting was a presentation by SelectaDNA, a forensic marking company that demonstrated how their technology can deter offenders and help police identify stolen goods and suspects. Retailers were shown how products can be invisibly marked and how marking sprays can be used to forensically tag perpetrators, leaving evidence that is invisible to the naked eye but clearly identifiable under UV light.

SelectaDNA representative Nick demonstrating the different technology available to help tackle shoplifting.

Councillor Barry Mugglestone told the Havering Daily:
“Thank you to all those who turned up to the Elm Park Business meeting arranged by the Met Police. The meeting was set up to try and combat the shop lifting issue in Elm Park, which is also a nationwide issue. As a community we have been working well together and it was good to see the local MP supporting ward councillors along with shop owners, Met Police and Havering Council. I was very impressed by the company SelectaDNA who were in attendance to demonstrate their equipment. If taken up locally, this equipment will deter shop lifters to Elm Park. We will continue to support all shops in Elm Park if they are part of a large chain or one of our many independent shops.”

Inspector Connolly highlighted how vital these partnerships are in delivering real results on the ground, explaining that this was not just a discussion but the start of a stronger approach to prevention and enforcement.

He said:
“This meeting marks an important step in strengthening crime prevention measures across Elm Park. Forensic property marking is a proven deterrent and provides vital evidence to support investigations and prosecutions. We encourage all retailers to take part in these initiatives.”

The Elm Park Safer Neighbourhoods team intends to increase retailer engagement and sign-ups for future community meetings, ensuring that businesses are equipped with effective tools to protect their premises and reduce crime..

The event was also attended by Margaret Mullane MP, who made it clear that she is determined to see stronger action taken to protect local businesses that have been repeatedly targeted.

She told the Havering Daily:
“The shops at Elm Park had been targeted by shoplifter gangs. Police and the shops have had some successes in catching the criminals, but more has to be done.

I was impressed in joining with Police, shop staff and and ward councillors outside Fat Pizza Elm Park today in seeing how effective the SelectaDNA spray can be in deterring and catching shoplifters.

I have written to the Government Policing Minister and the Mayor of London to help fund a local partnership initiative with local shops to extend the use of this spray material across the shops in Elm Park.

I will also be sending a joint letter with the Police and local ward councillors to all shops in the vicinity calling for them to join in the initiative to stamp out shoplifting in Elm Park by taking part in the use of SelectaDNA.”

Retailers were given practical advice throughout the session, with police officers explaining how the technology can support prosecutions and act as a visible deterrent to organised shoplifting gangs who have been targeting the area. The Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Team confirmed that they will now be increasing engagement with businesses and encouraging more retailers to sign up for future meetings and crime prevention initiatives.

The message from the meeting was clear: Elm Park is no longer an easy target. With police leadership, political backing and community cooperation, the area is stepping up its fight against shoplifting and sending a strong warning to offenders that crime will be challenged, evidence will be gathered and those responsible will be brought to justice.

For more information on upcoming meetings or to learn about forensic property marking, please contact the Elm Park Safer Neighbourhood Team and sign up to www.metengage.co.uk<http://www.metengage.co.uk/>.

Police officers join local Elm Park Councillors, Havering Enforcement officers and staff from the fantastic Fat Pizza in Elm Park.

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