Local MP Alan Mak has seen how an AI-powered app is being used by retailers to fight back against shoplifting.
He visited Havant Police Station and was shown how the UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) app allows local businesses to report shoplifting, share intelligence, and identify offenders.
More than 540 businesses in Hampshire have signed up to UKPAC, an initiative supported by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. It enables users to receive real-time alerts and see watchlists of known offenders.
The app helps to track patterns of criminal behaviour and links prolific offenders across different locations.
UKPAC also allows retailers to report incidents directly, bypassing the need to call 101, and creates stronger evidence packages for police to secure prosecutions.
It was launched in June 2025 and by late last year it had led to 66 convictions in Hampshire and more than 45 years in combined custodial sentences.
Mr Mak has also recently been on patrol in Havant, Emsworth and Leigh Park to find out how police are tackling shoplifting, after calling on police to prioritise shoplifting reduction.
He met up with officers to walk around shopping centres and see first-hand how retail theft is being treated as a priority.
Mr Mak had previously met officers on Hayling Island and in Purbrook and Stakes to discuss ways police are tackling shoplifting in those areas.
As well as UKPAC, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is focusing on prosecuting repeat offenders and using CCTV appeals to identify suspects.
Mr Mak said: "I strongly support concerted police action against shoplifting, and I have called on the police to make tackling shoplifting a priority locally.
"Retailers and their staff deserve support and offenders must be made to realise they can't get away with stealing."
He added: "The UKPAC app is a great way of using technology to help businesses fight back against shoplifting.
"But I also believe it is very important that our police officers are seen out and about in the community, as that is both reassuring to local residents and also acts as a deterrent to those who commit crime.
"It is why I called on Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary to implement the Local Bobby Scheme, which ensures the public have access to a named and easily contactable police officer who is also a visible presence in the community."
To find out who your Local Bobby is and how to contact them by phone or email, go to www.AlanMak.org.uk/LocalBobby and type in your postcode.
