|
I wanted to provide an update regarding theft from motor vehicles, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. Title: £2 million worth of stolen tools recovered in police operation
Neighbourhood officers from Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Redbridge were the first on scene to discover the £2 million haul in Ilford, which is believed to be the largest stash of stolen tools ever discovered in the UK.
Last week, it was reported by the construction company Balfour Beatty that equipment had been stolen from a site in Tilbury, Essex.
Met officers alongside specialist teams were able to track the stolen goods using a tracking device that was planted on the equipment to an address in Ilford.
Local officers gained entry to the property and found a large quantity of stolen tools estimated to be worth £2 million.
Three suspects have been arrested.
It appears the suspects are part of an organised group who resell stolen items online and ship across the UK and to Europe.
Officers have now transferred the stolen property, amounting to 10 lorry loads, to a secure police premises where officers are working to identify the tools and trace their original owners.
It is estimated that some of the recovered goods are linked to thefts as far back as 2019.
Local Investigation teams are now leading the investigation.
The Met is continuing to target tool thieves through intelligence-led operations as part of its continued commitment to reducing crime across London.
Watch the story on our social media: https://x.com/metpoliceuk/status/2016480773449105731?s=20
Inspector Mark Connolly, from the Met’s local policing team in East London, said:
“Today’s major seizure shows the serious impact tool theft has on tradespeople, businesses, and the UK’s infrastructure. The Met is targeting offenders at every level with national partners to track criminals and recover stolen equipment.
We urge companies and tradespeople to forensically mark their tools — it’s vital for securing convictions and getting stolen items returned.
This operation, one of the MPS’s largest, was driven by the tenacity of our officers and strong partnership working. The investigation continues, and we’ll be contacting anyone whose marked tools can be identified.
Tool theft destroys livelihoods and disrupts vital services. We must tackle it together to protect the people who keep the UK moving.”
The Met is continuing to target tool thieves through intelligence led operations, as part of its ongoing commitment to reducing crime across London and supporting communities affected by volume crime.
To share information with the investigation team or to contact officers, email EAMailbox.OpLarkwood@met.police.uk.
Register and mark your tools here: https://www.selectadna.co.uk/registration
Read more about how the Met is prioritising community crime-fighting as part of A New Met for London: Phase 2 here.
 Having personal items stolen from your vehicle is an upsetting experience, and we are determined to find and arrest those who break the law. We will keep you updated with what we are doing to tackle this in your area, but in the meantime, please follow the below advice to help protect your belongings. Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door. If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months. Remove all items from view by taking them with you or putting them in the boot out of sight. Thieves will look for any items on display. Things like clothes, documents or an old bag might not seem like valuables, but they could still tempt a thief. Ensure you remove all other clues there might be valuables linked to the car, such as phone chargers or sat-nav mounts. Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you do not have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme. Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
