Hampshire Police are appealing for information after a man stole £87.75 worth of goods from a Boots store in Portswood.
The incident occurred at around 11.25am on Saturday, 4 October, at the Boots branch on Portswood Road. Police say a man entered the shop and left with items valued at £87.75 without paying.
Officers have taken the step to release CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the theft. Anyone who recognises him, or who has information about the incident, is urged to call 101, quoting reference 44250450410.
The appeal comes as new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal a sharp rise in shoplifting across England and Wales. Police recorded more than 516,971 shoplifting offences in 2024, the most recent period, a 20% increase and the highest level since records began in 2003.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson described the trend as “utterly unacceptable”, highlighting the impact on both retailers and shop workers. “The rising levels of shop theft and violence against retail staff are utterly unacceptable,” she said.
“We will not stand for this. That is why this government has made clear we will introduce a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker and end the effective immunity that currently applies for theft of goods under £200.
“And it is why as part of our Safer Streets Mission we are restoring neighbourhood policing, putting thousands of dedicated officers and community support officers back on our streets, and ensuring every community has a named local officer they can turn to.”
Hampshire Police are urging anyone with information about the Portswood incident to come forward.
