This morning, I hosted my second Crime Summit with Superintendent Sarah Jackson, Inspector Mason, Councillor Mitchell Goldie, and representatives from Station Road’s High Street retailers to review the progress made since our initial meeting in May 2025.
I was pleased to hear that significant progress has been made in implementing anti-shoplifting measures across High Street retailers, helping both to better manage incidents and deter offenders.
Since the last summit, strengthened direct communication between local Police and retailers has not only increased the reporting of incidents but has also improved the quality and effectiveness of those reports. Accurate reporting is essential, as it ensures the Police have the information, they need to direct resources to areas where they are most needed, such as Station Road.
Major retailers have seen a steady decrease in incidents and the Police have also secured convictions against several local shoplifting offenders demonstrating these joint efforts are working and retail crime is beginning to fall.
I am also encouraged by the Police’s continued commitment to enhancing direct communication and increasing visible, face-to-face policing with residents and shopkeepers, particularly through their PCSOs.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their local community. While shoplifting remains a challenge and there is still more work to be done, I am committed to expanding this initiative across Chingford to ensure that small businesses receive the support they need to tackle this issue.
