Police in Portsmouth are asking for help from the public after a man was robbed on Willis Road on Sunday 22 March 2026. The 52-year-old victim was approached by a group of six men wearing balaclavas between 12:30pm and 12:45pm, pushed to the ground, and had his black Ellesse bum bag stolen.
The stolen bag contained approximately £600 in Polish currency and the man’s UK passport. The Central Southsea and St Judes Neighbourhood Policing Team, which is part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, released an appeal for information on 29 March 2026.
Investigators believe the group of men may have been seen crossing from Stanhope Street, near the train station, toward Willis Road. Officers noted that one of the suspects was riding a white bicycle, while another was using an e-scooter. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant dashcam or doorbell footage is encouraged to contact the police.
Those with information should call the police and quote reference number 44260136356. This investigation follows recent data from Plumplot, which shows that robbery is the fastest-growing crime category in Portsmouth, having increased by 53.3% over the twelve months leading up to February 2026.
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