Gangs shoplifting and threatening staff in Basingstoke shops - this is disgraceful'

A commissioner overseeing police and crime efforts in Basingstoke and Andover says retail theft has escalated into organized shoplifting and threats against staff. Writing from the perspective of a police and crime commissioner, the article argues the issue is not isolated, citing gangs of young people targeting goods and even carrying out violent assaults, with organized crime increasingly directing them toward specific household products and high-value food. The piece notes that many businesses have signed up to the UKPAC app, which is described as helping report crime quickly, support tracking of offenders, share intelligence, and lead to prosecutions. Since funding the app began in June of the previous year, it says the program has resulted in over 181 convictions and more than 62 years in total prison sentences for prolific thieves, while saving over 2,500 hours of police time. The article also mentions expanding a Local Bobby scheme to add more named officers to the Basingstoke area, and concludes that incidents must be reported to generate evidence for police action.