There is a push to crackdown on shoplifters as shopkeepers say they have “had enough” of criminals.

One of Harold Hill’s most prolific shoplifters was sentenced thanks to Farnham Road’s ‘Clear, Hold’ Build’ pilot operation launched by the Home Office in December 2023 to tackle crime in a busy shopping area.

Since the scheme started, there has been a 54% decrease in notable criminal offences in the area compared to this time last year.

To start the project, the local police team met with Farnham Road Shopkeepers Association who had raised concerns about a rise in shoplifting in the area.

Focusing on Harold Hill's main shopping area, officers have been ‘clearing’ the streets of criminal activity via targeted operations.

They will then be working with partners to ‘hold’ the area and then ‘build’ long-term community programmes to tackle the problems that are driving criminal activity.

Romford Recorder: Images during the February visit to check on the Clear, Hold’ Build’ schemeImages during the February visit to check on the Clear, Hold’ Build’ scheme (Image: Julia Lopez)

Police Superintendent Simon Hutchison and Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez walked around in February with independent shopkeepers to call on major retailers like Sainsburys and Superdrug to back the initiative.

During the visit, local traders and store managers revealed to the two that major retailers should support staff and customers by taking measures to ensure faster reporting of thefts to the police.

Supt. Hutchison and Mrs Lopez wrote to the retail Chief Executives to set out a range of steps they can take to prevent crime without impacting customers' experiences.

Mrs Lopez said: “The decent shopkeepers and residents of Harold Hill have rightly had enough of criminals blighting the heart of the community.

“It is absolutely right that we all work together to push back against those who seek to take what they have done absolutely nothing to earn.

“Clear, Hold, Build is already delivering results, and I am glad to back the fantastic group of local traders and officers who are leading the fight.

“To make the biggest impact, however, we need everyone on board - and that includes the major names on the High Street.

“While a number of them have already made commitments nationally to the government's Retail Crime Action Plan, we now need to see them deliver on the ground - and in a way that also better protects their own staff.”

Simon Hutchison, Superintendent Neighbourhood Policing, East Area BCU – Havering Borough said: “By targeting and disrupting the actions of a few prolific offenders we are seeing excellent progress and I look forward to seeing more improvements over the coming weeks.”

Simon Ford, chair of the Harold Hill Shop Association said: “Providing all parties involved pull together in the right direction, then Clear, Hold, Build will be a continued success, we will make sure that the commutation between parties is working, for the safety & well-being of shop staff & customers.”