Southampton West's shoplifting team appeal for information following thefts

Officers from Southampton West’s dedicated shoplifting team are appealing to the public for information in connection with three separate incidents in the Freemantle, Shirley and Millbrook areas of the city.

• On Saturday 18 January at around 6.40pm, entry was gained to a staff-only area of the Iceland store on Shirley High Street, and more than £230 worth of chocolate and various other food items were taken.
• On Sunday 19 January at around 9.20am, laundry and various other household products to the value of £70 were stolen from the One Stop store on Park Road.
• On Sunday 2 February at 7.05pm, various items were taken from Asda on Millbrook Road West and a staff member was assaulted in the process.

These incidents are not being treated as linked, however officers investigating them now have these images of people seen in or around the stores involved at the time of the incidents. We believe these people may have information to assist our enquiries and we are asking them, or anyone who recognises them, to please contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101. If you recognise the man in image one, please quote the reference number 44250027596. If you recognise the men in images two and three, please quote 44250026764. If you recognise the men in images four and five, please quote 44250052195.

You can also go online and submit information via https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

To submit information 100% anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

As well as investigating incidents of theft and assault when they are reported to us, Southampton West’s dedicated shoplifting team regularly carries out proactive work in conjunction with our partners in order to disrupt offending. Part of this approach is Operation Gatewatch, which is the dedicated work being carried out in Shirley to address shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Operation Gatewatch, which has been in place since 2023, sees officers regularly patrol Shirley High Street and the surrounding areas, both in uniform and plain clothes, to tackle those committing crime and causing harm locally. While our focus is on local stores and supporting shop staff, Operation Gatewatch also focuses on anti-social behaviour in the area that is connected with theft and shoplifting.

This work is ongoing and, as well as dedicated patrols and operations, we are also working closely with local businesses and other agencies on a strong, long-term solution to the issues faced by retailers, shop staff and shoppers.