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Welcome to the first edition of our Hampshire crime news report for 2025. Altogether, so far this year, we’ve seen a range of business-related crimes across Hampshire, affecting sectors including education, automotive, office premises, and retail.

Altogether, news stories about these incidents of crimes committed in Hampshire serve as a reminder of the need for proactive security measures, ranging from CCTV systems, perimeter protection and access control solutions.

As a result, we’ve been busy finding stories and building our crime news report to help you stay informed about incidents across Hampshire.

We will be updating this report over the course of 2025, adding to it other incidents and local crime stats.

Key article takeaways (TL;DR)

  • Hampshire businesses and schools were affected by arson, theft, and targeted break-ins in 2025.
  • A suspected arson attack at Chiltern Way Academy highlighted risks to education sites.
  • A Land Rover was stolen from a secure compound in the New Forest.
  • Break-ins at local sports clubs and schools resulted in property damage and disruption.
  • CCTV, access control, and monitored alarms are essential across education, commercial, and rural sites.

Hampshire crime news stories

School burglary in Hartley Wintney

A 14-year-old boy was arrested after a school burglary in Hartley Wintney, which caused over £5,000 in damage at Greenfields Junior School.

Police confirmed the suspect has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

The incident highlights the risks schools face during holiday periods and the growing importance of CCTV and access control systems for education sites across Hampshire.

Cruise parking theft in Southampton

Police are investigating the cruise parking theft in Southampton where 17 cars were stolen from a facility in Millbrook.

The site, which claimed to offer 24-hour CCTV monitoring, has come under scrutiny following the thefts.

All in all, this case underscores the need for secure vehicle storage and robust surveillance across Hampshire’s commercial parking facilities.

Farm burglary in Old Alresford

Two landscapers lost around £3,000 worth of tools in a farm burglary in Old Alresford after thieves forced entry into a storage container. CCTV footage captured suspects leaving in a white Ford Ranger.

The incident adds to a series of rural crime across Hampshire, reinforcing the need for better lighting, locks, and monitored alarms on agricultural sites.

ATM theft in Locks Heath

In the early hours of 17 September, offenders carried out an ATM theft in Locks Heath after targeting a Morrisons Daily store.

Police recovered the machine, but the suspects fled the scene.

The theft reflects a growing trend in retail crime across Hampshire, highlighting the need for bollards, monitored CCTV, and alarm systems to deter organised offenders.

Co-op ram raided in Chandler’s Ford

In a shocking turn of events in this typically quiet Hampshire town, a Dorset man was arrested after ram raiding the Hursley Road Co-op in Chandlers Ford.

Reports of this incident, show how the police chase the suspect all the way across the county into Dorset.

In summary, this is quite the turn of events for this quiet little town.

Vandalised Hampshire food bank ‘overwhelmed’ by support

In this recent incident, a warehouse belonging to a local food bank was attacked and vandalised by group of lowlifes.

Thankfully, community spirit is especially strong amongst the local business fraternity, and plenty of support has been provided.

Source: Vandalised foodbank ‘overwhelmed’ by support (BBC)

Business burglary in Basingstoke

In this unfortunate incident, two men broke into the Spicy Tadka, in this case of business related crime in Hampshire.

In an effort to solve this crime, Hampshire Constabulary has released CCTV footage of the incident.

Moreover, if you have any information about this incident please contact Hampshire Police. You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, quoting incident number 44250158121.

CCTV footage released in Hampshire crime investigation

Police released footage from the incident, after £600 of goods were stolen from a Southampton store.

Source: CCTV imagery released in Southampton theft investigation (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)

Retail crime prevention in Hampshire

According to national statistics, Hampshire Constabulary is top of the list when it comes to tackling shoplifting and retail crime in Hampshire.

This good news comes as statistics for England and Wales, reported by the British Retail Consortium show that in the year to September 2024, there was a 23 per cent increase in shoplifting.

This continues a trend of persistent quarterly increases, with incidents now having doubled since the pandemic.

In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight this increase was 17 per cent. This is especially concerning for local retailers.

Suspected arson at Chiltern Way Academy, Basingstoke

On April 19th, a fire broke out at Chiltern Way Academy in Basingstoke, with police altogether treating it as a suspected arson attack.

The fire occurred between 8:00 PM and midnight and caused significant damage to parts of the school. Hampshire Police have launched an appeal especially for witnesses to come forward.

Source: Hampshire Police – fire at local school – witness appeal

Security Insight: Schools are often vulnerable outside of hours. Combining fire detection systems with monitored CCTV can help prevent damage and speed up response times.

Land Rover theft in the New Forest

A Land Rover was reported stolen in the New Forest this month. Police issued a vehicle security advisory, noting concerns about keyless thefts targeting high-value vehicles in both rural and semi-rural areas.

Source: Hampshire Police – Land Rover theft

Security Insight: Car dealerships and logistics businesses should consider additional access control, ANPR cameras, and GPS tracking for high-risk 

Stabbing Outside Office Building in Whiteley

On April 30th, a woman was critically injured following a stabbing outside an office in Whiteley. A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. The incident occurred in broad daylight, especially raising concerns about workplace safety and access control.

Source: The Sun – Whiteley office stabbing  incident

Security Insight: Businesses should audit access points, ensure proper visitor vetting procedures, and have emergency response protocols in place.

Related services: Office CCTV systems

Teenager banned from local businesses in Hythe

A 14-year-old boy received a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering multiple local businesses for a year. In summary, the teen repeatedly engaged in anti-social behaviour that disrupted staff and customers.

Source: Daily Echo – teenager banned from local shops in Hampshire

Security Insight: Retail businesses benefit from well-positioned CCTV cameras and close coordination with local policing teams to help document and deter disruptive behaviour.

Hampshire business crime prevention initiatives

To summarise, in Hampshire, the authorities continue to push forward with collaborative efforts to tackle business-related crime, especially:

Southampton Business Crime Partnership: In April, a regular intelligence briefing shared updates on prolific offenders and coordinate prevention strategies.

Rural Patrols Increase: Officers partnered with local agencies for proactive patrols in rural and industrial zones to prevent crime and gather intelligence.

Security Insight: Businesses should join local crime reduction partnerships integrating security systems with up-to-date contact protocols for emergency services.

Hampshire crime report – conclusion

Altogether, the diverse nature of incidents across Hampshire in 2025 so far, from vehicle theft and vandalism to workplace violence, highlights the broad spectrum of threats facing businesses. 

For businesses across the county, staying informed and proactively investing in tailored security solutions is crucial, especially for reducing risk and protecting people and property.

Looking to improve security for your Hampshire-based business?

If you’re concerned about the potential impact of crime on your operations, talk to us about a free site survey. Safeguard offers CCTV installation services in Southampton and Hampshire for a range of businesses.

Frequently asked questions

What types of crime impacted Hampshire businesses and schools in 2025?

Crimes included suspected arson, vehicle theft, and break-ins targeting schools and sports clubs. Offenders damaged property, stole vehicles, and caused disruption across both rural and suburban areas, underscoring the need for robust, location-appropriate security solutions.

Why are rural thefts and vehicle crime increasing in Hampshire?

Remote sites like farms and rural schools often lack full-time supervision and are easier for thieves to access without detection. High-value vehicles such as Land Rovers are prime targets due to their resale value and limited on-site deterrents.

Which other premises were affected by crime in Hampshire in 2025?

Local sports clubs and schools reported break-ins involving smashed windows, forced entry, and theft. These incidents disrupted operations and resulted in increased repair and replacement costs for community and educational facilities.

What security measures are recommended for Hampshire schools?

Schools should implement layered security, including access control on entry doors, internal and external CCTV, alarm systems, and visitor verification processes. Remote monitoring and lockdown integrations also help enhance safeguarding and emergency readiness.

How can Hampshire businesses prevent vehicle and asset theft?

Use monitored CCTV, secure access points, perimeter fencing, and GPS tracking for high-value vehicles. Motion-activated lighting and alarms are also effective in rural locations, especially when combined with remote monitoring for instant incident escalation.

Is business-related crime rising across Hampshire?

Yes. While crime levels fluctuate, 2025 saw multiple high-profile incidents across educational, commercial, and community sites. The pattern reflects broader UK trends and highlights the need for consistent investment in security infrastructure and crime prevention strategies.