Key Points
- An undercover police operation took place on Thursday, 18 December, in Romford town centre.
- The operation was intelligence-led and resulted in four arrests and ten searches.
- The operation targeted crime in retail settings, involving two stores in the town centre.
- The initiative was organised by Romford Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Metropolitan Police, My Local Bobby (MLB), TM Eye, and local store security teams.
- Julie Frost, Director of Romford BID, praised the coordinated efforts between agencies.
- Covert officers identified suspicious behaviour through surveillance and proactive policing.
- Authorities emphasised the importance of partnership working to ensure public safety in Havering.
Why Did Police Conduct an Undercover Operation in Romford?
According to a statement from the Metropolitan Police, cited by the Romford Recorder on 20 December 2025, the undercover operation was “intelligence-led and designed to disrupt criminal activity” across Romford’s busiest retail hubs. The focus was primarily on theft, fraud, and disorder occurring within high-footfall stores.
The plan was coordinated by Romford Business Improvement District (BID), a key player in revitalising and securing the town centre. Alongside the Metropolitan Police’s Romford town centre policing team, officers from My Local Bobby (MLB), the investigative agency TM Eye, and in-store security staff joined forces for a day of covert and visible enforcement.
This strategic partnership reflects a trend seen across London’s boroughs in recent years—where local policing teams work more closely with commercial networks to tackle persistent retail and public safety challenges.
How Was the Undercover Operation Organised?
As reported by Veronica Hamilton of the Havering Daily, the operation combined both plain-clothed and uniformed policing elements, with officers discreetly monitoring customer and staff activity at two major retail outlets within the town centre. Covert surveillance teams were strategically placed to identify suspicious movements indicative of theft or coordinated retail crime.
Working under the guidance of seasoned officers from the Metropolitan Police, the joint task force intercepted several individuals displaying suspicious behaviour, leading to ten searches and four arrests. Additionally, one intelligence report was submitted for follow-up investigations, potentially linking suspects to prior offences in nearby boroughs.
TM Eye, a private investigations and security firm known for its collaboration with police forces across the UK, reportedly provided technical support and live data monitoring during the operation. Their agents worked alongside My Local Bobby’s retail patrol staff, who were instrumental in covertly tracking suspect activity in and out of the premises.
What Was Said by Romford BID and Local Authorities?
In comments published by Sophie Morton of the Romford Recorder, Julie Frost, Director of Romford BID, hailed the initiative as a strong demonstration of community partnership:
“This operation shows the impact we can make when partners work together with a shared focus,” Frost said. “The collaboration between the police, My Local Bobby officers, TM Eye and store security was highly effective. We remain committed to backing our businesses and taking practical steps that help keep Romford safe and welcoming.”
Frost, who has overseen a number of safety and improvement projects in Romford over recent years, added that operations like these not only bring immediate results but also serve a preventative purpose—deterring would-be offenders through heightened visibility and stronger cross-agency intelligence sharing.
What Role Did My Local Bobby and TM Eye Play?
In a quote provided to BBC London, a spokesperson from My Local Bobby emphasised the crucial importance of collaborative intelligence, explaining:
“Our partnership with Romford BID and the Metropolitan Police allows us to identify repeat offenders more quickly. Many incidents of retail crime involve the same individuals operating across different boroughs. Coordinated efforts like this ensure immediate response and sustained deterrence.”
Meanwhile, TM Eye’s Operations Director, quoted in a statement to Havering Daily, noted that the integration of private enforcement data and police intelligence systems enables faster identification of suspects. He described the Romford operation as “a benchmark in public-private cooperation that other town centres should replicate to achieve real results in community safety.”
What Were the Outcomes of the Day of Action?
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that four individuals were arrested for a range of offences, including theft and related criminal behaviour. Authorities conducted ten searches, uncovering evidence linked to ongoing investigations into shoplifting and antisocial incidents.
According to data shared by the Romford town centre policing team, the arrests form part of a wider initiative known as Operation Spotlight, which focuses on preventing retail theft and keeping town centres safe for businesses during peak shopping periods.
Local businesses reportedly expressed relief following the operation, with several store managers praising the visible presence of officers and the coordinated approach between teams. The precise details of the arrested individuals and charges have not yet been released, but sources indicate further investigations are ongoing.
How Does This Operation Reflect Wider Trends in UK Policing?
As noted by Danielle Desouza of the Press Association, there has been a measurable uptick in police-private sector collaborations over the past decade, especially in London and other major retail centres. Faced with limited public policing resources, BID partnerships and private patrol initiatives have stepped up to fill operational gaps.
Romford’s BID, established to enhance local commerce and safety, has been particularly proactive in addressing crimes that threaten retail confidence, such as theft, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour. Collaborative days of action like December’s operation illustrate a national shift toward shared responsibility for community safety.
According to Home Office statistics (2024), shoplifting increased by nearly 30% across England and Wales in the past year, driven in part by the post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis. In that context, Romford’s targeted policing efforts align with broader national priorities to reassure local communities and maintain business resilience.
What Is the Reaction from the Local Community?
Members of the public shared positive feedback following the operation, particularly praising the police visibility during what’s usually a busy holiday shopping period.
Local resident Martin Clarke, speaking to the Romford Recorder, said he noticed “a lot more activity around the town centre” that day and applauded the authorities’ proactive approach:
“It’s good to see something being done, especially before Christmas. Romford can get really busy, and there’s always concern about thefts and pickpockets. Seeing that presence makes you feel safer.”
Store employees also commended the swift police response, noting that prior intelligence-sharing meetings helped identify repeat offenders who returned to local stores despite previous warnings.
What Happens Next?
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service, cited by BBC London, confirmed that all four arrested individuals are currently in custody pending further investigation, and that evidence gathered during the operation will assist in future prosecutions and prevention measures.
The spokesperson added:
“This operation sends a clear message that criminal behaviour in our town centres will not be tolerated. We will continue working closely with Romford BID, TM Eye, My Local Bobby, and local retailers to make Romford a safer environment for everyone.”
Romford BID has pledged to maintain regular joint operations throughout 2026, with plans already underway for similar initiatives in early spring.
What Does This Mean for Romford’s Future Safety?
This latest initiative underscores how Romford is emerging as a model town for integrated safety and enforcement strategy. By combining police intelligence, private investigation capabilities, and on-the-ground retail insights, the partnership bridges the gap between community expectation and operational capacity.
With both public and private entities aligning resources, Romford’s community leaders believe such efforts will yield lasting positive impacts—discouraging criminal behaviour and restoring confidence to retailers and shoppers alike.
As Julie Frost of Romford BID summed up:
“Our goal is simple—to make Romford thrive. That means giving our businesses the security they deserve and ensuring every visitor knows they can shop here in confidence.”
