Crackdown on retail crime as Hampshire PCC hails local impact of national Pegasus initiative

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says it’s committed to tackling shoplifting and organised retail crime as part of a national crackdown.

The Pegasus Partnership initiative, a UK-wide collaboration between retailers, the Home Office and local police, has so far resulted in 93 arrests.

That includes a case here in Hampshire where prolific shoplifter Ionel Elvis Dulea was jailed for stealing over £24,000 worth of items from Boots stores in Andover, Aldershot and Fareham.

Donna Jones, the county’s police and crime commissioner and a non-executive director on the board of Hampshire Chamber, recently launched her Police and Crime Plan to prioritise support for local retailers and ensure “robust action” against offenders.

“Organised crime is linked to shoplifting through networks of offenders who systematically target retail stores, often across multiple regions, to steal high-value items for resale, funding broader criminal enterprises such as drug trafficking or human exploitation,” she said.

“The impact of this crime is far reaching – it impacts business owners, staff and shoppers.

“It threatens community safety and confidence in our high streets, and it must be stopped.

“I’m proud to see the force working in partnership with national initiatives like Pegasus to bear down on those who target businesses, disrupt organised crime groups and support victims.

“My Police and Crime Plan highlights this priority, and I remain committed to ensuring businesses feel protected and offenders face justice.”