Tashinga Chinyadza, 24, has been charged with theft, criminal damage, common assault and possession of Class B substance after shoplifting was reported at Co-op in Farnham Road.
He has been bailed and will appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court in April.
The Metropolitan Police were called to the Harold Hill store at around 10.30am on March 4.
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A/Ch Insp Charlie Routley said that police are continuing to work with retailers, shop staff and the public to tackle shoplifting in the borough.
A/Ch Insp Routley told the Recorder: “Specifically in Harold Hill this forms part of the Our Harold Hill – Clear Hold Build initiative which has been running since December 2023.
“In that time we have seen a 37 per cent reduction in overall crime reported in the Farnham Road area.
“This includes a 35 per cent reduction in shoplifting as well as a notable reduction in reported anti-social behaviour.”
He added that officers are now applying the learning from this initiative to other areas in Havering, and that it is “vitally important” that stores continue to report all incidents of shoplifting to the police to help catch offenders.
Co-op has not responded to a request for comment.
