On January 26, 2026, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary launched an appeal for witnesses after a reported assault in Eastleigh town centre, asking anyone who was in the area that afternoon to come forward. Officers have specifically requested CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage from residents and motorists to help identify those involved.
The appeal comes against the background of reduced public surveillance in the town. Eastleigh Borough Council announced in mid‑2025 that it would decommission the town‑centre CCTV system (51 cameras), and there have also been cuts to overnight street lighting—developments local reporting says have created gaps in town‑centre monitoring. As a result, footage from private cameras is increasingly important to local investigations.
CrimeRate’s local figures show Eastleigh’s overall crime rate at roughly 64 crimes per 1,000 people, broadly in line with the county average, while local reporting and police briefings have highlighted recurring problems in and around transport hubs such as the railway and bus stations. Police are urging anyone with information or footage not to post it on social media but to provide it directly to officers so it can be used in evidence if required.
For updates, residents can check the Hampshire Alert messaging service. To submit evidence or report what you saw, use Hampshire Constabulary’s online reporting form or call the non‑emergency number, 101, quoting any incident reference given by officers.
