The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary released images on February 18, 2026, of two women they want to identify following a theft at the Next clothing store in Festival Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire. Officers are asking for the public’s help to find the women in connection with the incident so they can recover the stolen goods.
Police are asking shoppers and local residents who were in the area to check their personal security cameras or car dashcams for any sightings that might help the investigation. Identifying the people in the images is a priority for the local team as they work to address retail crime in the town centre.
The appeal comes at a time when shoplifting has become a major concern for the community, ranking as the second most common crime in the town centre with 43 cases reported in December 2025 alone. To combat this, the police are using an AI-driven digital system called UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), which allows stores to quickly upload evidence and images of suspects directly to officers.
This technology has helped convict dozens of people across the region since it was first launched in June 2025. Anyone with information about the incident at Festival Place is encouraged to contact the police by calling 101 or by using their official online reporting tool.
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