Thief arrested as police crackdown on Bromley shoplifters

On a daily basis this shop is targeted by repeat offenders whose faces appear on a long list on the staff room wall. 

I was with the Met as they carried out a sting operation at a Co-op store on Anerley Road, part of their wider efforts to crackdown on shoplifting which has become too common across Bromley borough. 

Inspired by a similar operation at Co-op on Carlton Parade, Orpington, over the course of six days plain clothes police officers had the Anerley Co-op surrounded ready to pounce on thieves. 

That’s exactly what they did at midday on Wednesday, February 12, when a hooded man entered the store and began filling his rucksack with over £50 worth of soft drinks. 

The thief, identified as 35-year-old George Nicholson, soon found himself in handcuffs and was brought before Bromley Magistrates’ Court the following day. 

Nicholson was given a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from all Co-op stores in England and Wales as well as Tesco stores in Penge. 

George Nicholson has been banned from every Co-op in the country as well as Tesco stores in Penge (Image: Met Police) Inspector Michelle Pryal told the News Shopper: “We’re trying to deal with the constant offenders at this Co-op in Anerley. We’re being hit quite hard in this area. 

“Our aim is to detain the main offenders. we’ve got a list of the main offenders here and what we want to do is not only to deal with them from a criminal nature but also involve our colleagues in the drug addiction team to try to divert offenders into help for their possible addictions, which is often why they’re committing these offences.” 

Eleven more shoplifters were arrested as part of the same sting.

Inspector Michelle Pryal was one of the plain-clothed officers carrying out the sting operation at the Co-op (Image: NQ) While Bromley is statistically one of the safest boroughs in London, it falls short when it comes to shoplifting where the crime rate is 20 per cent higher than the capital’s average.   

Local retail staff described shoplifting in Bromley as rife with others saying it puts them off the job. 

Detective Superintendent Luke Baldock, of the Bromley Borough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said his officers take shoplifting very seriously. 

Detective Superintendent Luke Baldock (Image: Met Police) He said: “Retail crime negatively affects businesses, employees and the wider public, often fuelling other crime and anti-social behaviour. 

“Those involved are not just shoplifters, using threats, intimidation and violence, they are also often involved in wider criminality such as motor vehicle crime and drug use – which significantly impacts our communities. 

“By taking a data led approach and utilising the latest technology, we’re able to target the most prolific criminals, working alongside our various partners to bring them to justice and provide them with the support they need to turn their lives around. 

“We are already seeing reductions in shoplifting offences across Bromley with improved confidence in policing from local stores. In the past two months alone, we’ve more than doubled the number of people charged with shoplifting offences (56) compared to the 23 we recorded back in October 2024.” 

Police said this Co-op on Anerley Road is one of the most targeted shops in Bromley borough (Image: NQ) Of the 12 arrests made at the Anerley Co-op, two people were handed cautions and three were given community resolution orders – often used to divert offenders in circumstances when it is not deemed in the public interest to prosecute.

One other man has already pleaded guilty to theft – Paul Berhane, 50, of Naseby Road in Croydon, who was given a six-week suspended sentence. 

Four people were charged with theft and will appear at Bromley Magistatres’ Court in the coming weeks – Ryan Currell, 36, of Palace Road in Bromley, David Desborough, 43, of no fixed abode, Darren Kilby, 56, of Bridgewood Close in Bromley, and Louise Chaffe, 36, of Wynell Road in Lewisham.