Langoustine Lifter Faces Justice After Chelsea Shellfish Heist
Ekaterina Frolova, the woman infamously nicknamed the "langoustine lifter," has been sentenced for stealing £200 worth of shellfish from outside an exclusive London restaurant. The 46-year-old, residing at Lucan Place, was arrested in December following a series of thefts that targeted high-end establishments in Chelsea.
The Shellfish Snatch at Elystan Street
Frolova's criminal spree gained notoriety last November when CCTV footage captured her taking a delivery of langoustines from outside Michelin-starred Elystan Street. This incident prompted a police manhunt, with authorities releasing additional footage in subsequent days showing the same woman stealing items from Petals at Bibendum, a florist located just a short walk from the restaurant.
Police confirmed that Frolova was arrested in December and subsequently pleaded guilty to theft and burglary charges related to both the restaurant and the florist. She also admitted to stealing hundreds of pounds worth of vitamins and a pair of nail clippers from nearby Zen Pharmacy, demonstrating a pattern of opportunistic theft across multiple local businesses.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The serial thief was remanded in custody and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 5, where she received a total fine of £350. According to the Metropolitan Police, Frolova pleaded guilty to multiple offences including theft from a pharmacy on Beauchamp Place on two separate occasions in November 2025, theft by finding at the restaurant on Elystan Street, and both theft and burglary at the florist on Fulham Road.
Her arrest came on December 12, 2025, after which she remained in custody until her sentencing. The court heard details of her criminal activities spanning from October through December 2025, highlighting a sustained campaign of theft against small businesses in the affluent Chelsea neighborhood.
Impact on Local Businesses
The thefts have had significant consequences for the affected businesses. Max Cansdale, co-owner of Petals at Bibendum for five years, described how shoplifting is hitting small businesses hard during what he called a "shoplifting epidemic."
"All that can be done for small businesses that face this shoplifting epidemic is to put preventative measures in place," Cansdale explained. "All of our products are now secured with fishing wire – so if you pick something up and run off with it as an opportunist, that won't work because you won't be able to tug on it, you'll be stuck – and then a staff member will confront you."
He detailed additional security measures including hiring a security guard and having team members work extra hours to completely pack away the shop at night. "It's a lot more work for the team, we have team members that come in half an hour earlier to open up, they work later so that they can pack away," Cansdale added.
Becky McLaughlin, general manager of Elystan Street, told the BBC shortly after the theft: "It's just somebody that is clearly trying their luck and doesn't really realise the impact something small to them has on an independent restaurant. There's a massive domino effect and it's a cost that now just has to be swallowed."
Broader Implications for Retail Security
This case highlights the growing challenges faced by small businesses in upscale London neighborhoods dealing with opportunistic theft. The incident at Elystan Street, where high-value shellfish was stolen from outside the premises, demonstrates how even temporary vulnerabilities can be exploited by determined thieves.
The response from local businesses – including increased security measures, additional staffing hours, and physical deterrents like fishing wire – illustrates the financial and operational burden that such crimes impose on independent establishments. These preventive measures, while effective, come at significant cost to business owners already facing economic pressures.
Frolova's sentencing serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for such thefts, but business owners emphasize that prevention remains crucial in combating what many describe as an escalating problem affecting retail establishments across London.
