21 Oct 2025

32 Arrested as SelectaDNA Supports Met Police Retail Crime Crackdown

Selectamark Security Systems Stand: F70
32 Arrested as SelectaDNA Supports Met Police Retail Crime Crackdown
SelectaDNA forensic marking technology is once again at the forefront of the Metropolitan Police Service’s efforts to tackle retail crime, as Operation Zoridon expanded into a major pan-London initiative this month.

32 Arrested as SelectaDNA Supports Met Police Retail Crime Crackdown 

SelectaDNA forensic marking technology is once again at the forefront of the Metropolitan Police Service’s efforts to tackle retail crime, as Operation Zoridon expanded into a major pan-London initiative this month. 

Following the success of earlier borough-based retail crime operations, which have been listed as ‘best practice’ in the College of Policing’s practice bank, the Met has now launched a city-wide roll-out of Operation Zoridon, designed to target prolific shoplifters and disrupt organised retail theft networks across London. 

To support the operation, the Met purchased SelectaDNA marking kits, which are being supplied to major retailers including Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, Co-op, BP and Tesco. The kits enable stores to uniquely mark high-value or frequently stolen items with an invisible forensic code, linking offenders directly to crime scenes when stolen goods are recovered. 

Met Police officers raided more than 120 shops across London, suspected of buying stolen goods and reselling them at discounted prices. Nine shops were given closure notices, and 32 arrests were made, with offences ranging from handling stolen goods to drug offences and immigration violations.  

The initiative reinforces the Met’s message that only retailers who actively report thefts can receive full policing support, ensuring resources are focused where reporting and intelligence are strongest. 

Two high-profile days of action tool place on 14th and 16th October, under the Gold Command of Commander Featherstone, led by Superintendent Luke Baldock, and supported by PS Michaela Glue and her team. The operations involved more than 120 targeted site visits across London, including locations identified through intelligence, licensing checks and Trading Standards warrants. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, was also in attendance, along with the policing minister Sarah Jones.  

A central briefing was held at Lambeth HQ, where supervisors from across the Met’s 15 operational units received tactical and intelligence updates before deployment. As part of the briefing, Nick Roach, Police Liaison at SelectaDNA, delivered an overview of its DNA marking solutions used by retailers such as Tesco and Three Mobile. 

Representatives from participating retailers, including Chief Executives, were invited to observe the briefing and learn more about the pan-London operation.  

SelectaDNA also deployed their search dog, trained by Mick Swindells to locate SelectaDNA marked goods - a unique capability that has proven highly effective in recovering stolen property and securing convictions. The search dog was deployed to support operational teams in Bromley and Kingston upon Thames, where key enforcement activity was planned. 

Operation Zoridon represents a major step forward in how the Met, retailers and technology partners like SelectaDNA are working together to make London a safer place to shop and trade. 

“This pan-London initiative shows the Met’s determination to tackle retail theft at scale,” said James Brown of SelectaDNA. “By using forensic marking and strong reporting partnerships with retailers, police can directly link stolen goods to offenders and secure meaningful results in the fight against shoplifting.” 

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