Video shows moment shoplifter caught in the act by police

A man who was caught in the act during a Met operation to tackle shoplifting has been jailed.

Cops in Lambeth carried out a targeted sting at the Co-Op in Lower Marsh on Monday, after several reports of theft from the store.

The neighbourhood team arrived early and waited in the back office where they monitored CCTV cameras.

At around 8.30am a man entered the store and began ransacking the meat chiller. He was immediately detained and arrested. 

CCTV footage shows the moment police catch Derick Bell shoplifting from the Co-Op in Lower Marsh (Picture: The Met)

Derick Bell, 36, of no fixed address, was charged the following day and appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting. He was jailed for eight weeks.

Inspector Darren Watson, from the Met’s Neighbourhood Policing Team in Lambeth, said: “We know shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses and shop staff. It often also fuels other crime and anti-social behaviour.

“In Lambeth alone, our enforcement activity means 11 of the 14 most prolific shoplifters in the area are currently in prison and we will continue to take action against those who cause misery in our communities.”

Pictured top: Police caught Derick Bell after he ransacked the meat chiller in a Co-Op (Picture: The Met)