WATCH: Prolific offenders targeted in Met Police shoplifting crackdown

Met Police officers have secured significant banning orders against two prolific shoplifters as part of their continued crackdown on retail crime.

Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four months, banning him from every Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales.

In a separate investigation, officers in Haringey secured an order to ban Patrick Verry from every Greggs store in England and Wales after he targeted a store seven times.

Across London the Met is prioritising neighbourhood policing by putting more officers into local teams to tackle issues such as shoplifting.

Officers are working with business owners to target the most prolific offenders who cause fear to retail workers and have a negative impact on communities.

Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said:

“The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Wright and Verry. They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.

"We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols."

Winston Wright, 44 (08.04.81), of Lewisham, pleaded guilty to eight counts of shoplifting and one count of commercial burglary at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.

As well as being given a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering any Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales for three years, he’s also been banned from entering the Royal Borough of Greenwich for three years, jailed for three months and fined £200.

During the course of the investigation officers gathered CCTV from various stores which helped identify Wright as the offender. As a result he was stopped in Deptford High Street on Thursday, 20 March by a PCSO who recognised him.

Patrick Verry, 33 (02.04.92), of no fixed address, was caught in the act by officers at the store in Wood Green High Road on Thursday, 15 May. He pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from the same store at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.