Video showing the arrest of a prolific shoplifter who repeatedly targeted stores in East London has been convicted following a Met Police investigation
- Catch A Thief UK
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
A prolific shoplifter from East London who repeatedly targeted stores in east London has been convicted following a Metropolitan Police investigation.
Officers were called to Tesco Express on High Road, Leytonstone, at 16:00 on Tuesday, 7 January, after reports that a man had been apprehended by staff while attempting to steal a large quantity of alcohol.
The suspect was detained by officers outside the store, with the incident captured on CCTV. The footage was later recovered as part of the investigation.
Lee Moise, 38 (12.04.86), of no fixed address, was further charged with nine other thefts and common assault on a staff member at the same Tesco Express, as well as a theft at the Co-op on Homerton High Street.
He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 9 January, where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Inspector Mohammed Uddin, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Homerton, said:
"We know shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses and their staff. Successful cases like this highlight our commitment to bringing offenders to justice as we focus on the crimes that matter most to Londoners.
"Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams continue to work alongside local businesses, both large and small, to implement effective crime prevention initiatives. We are also conducting more arrest enquiries and working with the council to identify shoplifters through their CCTV operations.
"Additionally, we are collaborating with drug and homelessness outreach teams to provide support to those known for shoplifting, often driven by drug addiction. It is these targeted approaches that are making a real difference in communities across London."
A Tesco spokesperson added:
"Our colleagues work hard to serve our customers every day, and every member of our team deserves to feel safe at work. We would like to thank all the officers and our internal security team who have worked collaboratively on this case.
"We continue to work closely with our partners, including the Metropolitan Police, to share information and invest in new ways to keep our stores—like the High Road Leytonstone Express—safe places to work and shop."
The conviction of Moise is another example of the intelligence-led approach Safer Neighbourhood Teams in east London are using to remove prolific shoplifters from their communities.
In Homerton alone, neighbourhood officers have made 15 arrests linked to over 50 crimes since September 2024, with six offenders currently serving prison sentences.
More widely, the Met is working with the business community to tackle repeat offenders, using data and technology such as phone tracking and surveillance techniques.
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