Portsmouth crime news and court cases
Appeals, arrests, charges and court results from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, summarised as they are published, with the official monthly crime figures for the city. Where a court result matches a name on our listings, it links to the day that case was heard.
- Police releases24in the last seven days across the force
- Court results1confirmed this week
- Crimes in Portsmouth2,853recorded in July 2026, ▲ 11% on the month before
- Violence and sexual offences1,113▲ 4% on the month before
What the police are reporting
Police release images of six men linked to Eastney Marina disorder
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has issued images of six men as part of its investigation into violent public disorder at Eastney Marina on 6 September. The incident involved a crowd of about 200, vehicle damage and minor injuries to officers. A 42‑year‑old from Paulsgrove was charged on Friday, and a 16‑year‑old was arrested and bailed on Saturday.
Police seek public help in Southampton Boots shoplifting series
Police have released an image of a white, average‑build man with curly medium‑length hair linked to three shoplifting raids at the Boots store on Portswood Road, Southampton. The thefts occurred on 25 August at 1.20 pm (£400), 27 August at 2.20 pm (£150) and 4 September at 5.25 pm (£700). Anyone recognising him is asked to contact authorities.
87‑Year‑Old Joan Harris Missing in Southampton
Joan Harris, 87, was last seen leaving her home in Southampton between 12.30 am and 2.20 am this morning. She is described as white, about five feet tall, with shoulder‑length white/grey hair and was believed to be barefoot, walking near Bitterne, Sholing and the Itchen. Police urge anyone with information to call 999, quoting reference 44260447317.
Missing 19‑year‑old Margret Aruna in Southampton
Margret Aruna, 19, has been reported missing in Southampton after she was last seen at her home around 11pm on Friday 11 September. She is described as a black female, about 5ft 3in tall, wearing her hair in a bandana or scarf. Anyone with information should call 999 and quote reference 44260446068.
Missing Ampfield man, 43, last seen Saturday morning
Gareth Barter, 43, disappeared from his Ampfield home at about 8:50 am on Saturday 12 September. He is described as a white, stocky man, 5ft 8in tall, bald with a beard, wearing a blue pyjama top, grey tracksuit bottoms with a Welsh dragon and blue and orange running shoes. Police urge anyone with information to call 999 quoting reference 44260446167.
Serious injuries after van‑cyclist collision in Fareham
Police reported a collision at the junction of Daedalus Way and Peak Lane in Fareham at about 11.30am on 4 September. A white Ford Transit van struck a female cyclist in her 50s, who suffered serious but non‑life‑threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
Police Outline Plans for Portsmouth Protests
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary announced measures for today’s protests in Portsmouth, scheduled to start at 12.30pm from All Saints Church on Commercial Road. Under Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986, participants must follow a designated route to Guildhall Square, with separate areas allocated for counter‑protesters and a contingency holding point.
Man charged after violent disorder at Eastney Marina
A 42‑year‑old man, Del Leon Somerville of Walsingham Close, Paulsgrove, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a constable following the Eastney Marina incident on 6 September. He has been charged with both offences and is remanded to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 12 September.
Eastleigh Man Charged with Multiple Shoplifting and Theft Offences
A 42-year‑old Eastleigh resident, Adam Brown, was charged with five shoplifting offences and the theft of a tablet after incidents between 2 April and 3 June. The stolen items, valued at over £1,000, were taken from Tesco Express stores in Fair Oak, Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford. Brown is bailed and will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on 7 October.
Indecent exposure reported in Chandler’s Ford car park
On Monday 7 September, between 6.30pm and 6.45pm, a man exposed himself in the Waitrose car park on Oakmount Road, Chandler’s Ford. Police describe him as a white male in his 60s, medium build, about 5ft 7ins tall, with short brown hair, wearing a baggy T‑shirt, black shorts and black sunglasses, and acting aggressively.
42-year-old arrested after violent disorder at Eastney Marina
A 42‑year‑old man from Paulsgrove was arrested on Friday 11 September on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a constable during the public disorder at Eastney Marina on 6 September. The incident involved around 200 people, vehicle damage and minor injuries to officers. He remains in custody.
25‑year‑old arrested after Class A drugs found in Farnborough
Police stopped a Nissan Micra on Farnborough Road at about 12.15 am on 11 September and, after a search, discovered 15 bags of suspected Class A drugs and £810. The uninsured vehicle was seized and a 25‑year‑old man from Crawley was arrested on suspicion, remaining in custody while enquiries continue.
28-year-old Reading man arrested after drug find in Farnborough
Police in Farnborough spotted suspected drug activity linked to a Ford Transit van at about 1pm on 10 September. A search of the vehicle on Salisbury Road uncovered 49 wraps of suspected crack cocaine and heroin and £465 cash. The 28‑year‑old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of drug offences and released on bail.
Man charged with assault, exposure and damage after Tesco incident
A 28‑year‑old man, Aidan Gough of no fixed address, was charged after resisting arrest on Elm Grove on 9 September. He assaulted two officers, exposed himself and urinated in a police vehicle, and damaged a holding cell. He appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 10 September and was bailed pending Crown Court trial.
Man arrested after Basingstoke drug stop
Police on patrol stopped a Mercedes on Queen Mary Avenue at about 8 pm on Wednesday 9 September. A search uncovered 20 bags of suspected cocaine and £260 in cash, which were seized. A 27‑year‑old Basingstoke man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug and remains in custody.
Two Arrested After £145,000 Trackway Theft at Boomtown Festival
Police arrested two men following the theft of 65 trackway panels, valued at about £145,000, from the Boomtown festival. Staff discovered the missing panels on 27 August while packing down the site. A 57‑year‑old from Hayling Island was bailed, while a 26‑year‑old from Havant remains in custody.
Man arrested after seizure of 2kg cocaine and £17k cash
Police in Basingstoke stopped a Mercedes in the Popley area at about 2.30pm on 9 September. A search of a house on Gilbert Close uncovered roughly 2kg of suspected cocaine and more than £17,000 in cash. A 25‑year‑old local man was arrested on suspicion and remains in custody.
21‑year‑old arrested after fatal A34 collision kills Romsey driver
A fatal collision occurred on the A34 near Sutton Scotney at about 8.20 pm on 5 September. A 63‑year‑old Romsey man driving a green Austin A35 was killed, while the 21‑year‑old driver of a Mazda 6 Sport from Tidworth was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs and is bailed until 6 December.
Man charged after drugs found in Basingstoke stop
A 37‑year‑old man, Leonardo Rodrigues De Lima Franco of Kingsley Crescent, High Wycombe, was charged with Class A drug offences after officers stopped a Renault Megane on Quilter Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke at 11.30 am on 8 September. Police seized £475 cash and 23 bags of Class A drugs. He is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on 9 September.
Hampshire Police Launch Community Drone Pilot for Rural Crime
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has begun a community drone pilot, the first of its kind in the UK, deploying trained volunteers to assist police during live incidents in rural Hampshire. The scheme targets hare coursing, poaching and non‑dwelling burglaries, with funding from Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
Recorded crime in Portsmouth, July 2026
- On or near Parking Area
- On or near Supermarket
- On or near Shopping Area
- On or near Petrol Station
- On or near Guildhall Walk
- On or near Spur Road
- On or near Goldsmith Avenue
- On or near Beaulieu Road
- On or near Nightclub
- On or near Sports/recreation Area
- Under investigation
- Investigation complete; no suspect identified
- Unable to prosecute suspect
- Awaiting court outcome
- Local resolution
- Action to be taken by another organisation
- Offender given a caution
From the archive
Aldershot shoplifter handed CBO and suspended sentence
A serial shoplifter has been given a suspended jail term and a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order after stealing more than £150 worth of goods from a store in Aldershot. Karl Jennings, 39,…
Dangerous Driving Incident M27 Appeal for Witnesses
Hampshire Police have launched a dangerous driving incident M27 appeal, urging witnesses and dashcam owners to come forward after a grey BMW 3-series Estate was seen travelling at excessive speed on the…
Basingstoke Drug Dealer Jailed After High-Speed Police Chase
A drug dealer has been jailed in Basingstoke for three years and four months after police discovered a bag of Class A drugs following a vehicle pursuit through the town in January.…
Man Charged Sexual Offence Gosport After Online Messages
A 75-year-old Gosport man has been charged with a sexual offence after police received reports he sent sexually explicit messages online to someone he believed to be a child on Saturday 21…
Four sentenced over sexual offending against children
Four individuals have been sentenced after admitting sexual offending against children, with the ringleader receiving a 26-year custodial term at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, 13 February. Elliot Jones, 49, formerly of…
Man charged over Coxford Southampton death
A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of Piotr Pruszak in Coxford, Southampton. Marcin Buryta is appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court today. Hampshire & Isle of Wight…
Witness Appeal After Collision in Shedfield Injures Woman
Police are urging witnesses to come forward following a serious collision in Shedfield that left an elderly woman with life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred at 12:50pm on Tuesday, 31 December, at the…
Chandler’s Ford woman jailed for shoplifting spree
Michelle Louise Grundy, 46, from Chandler’s Ford has been sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment following two shoplifting offences and breaching a community order. The Falkland Road resident appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court…
Appeal to Find Missing Fleet Cyclist Samuel Hanshew
Police are appealing for information after Samuel Hanshew, aged 40, disappeared following a bike ride in Fleet. The man has not been seen since departing his home address on Sunday, 16 November.…
Two charged over Southampton murder investigation
Vickrum Digwa and Kiran Kaur have been charged following the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton. Digwa faces murder charges whilst Kaur is accused of assisting an offender after the…
Investigation launched after death of man in Portswood
Four individuals have been detained following the death of a man in Portswood on Tuesday evening (3 December). Police have launched a murder investigation after responding to reports of an altercation on…
Waleed Alharbi of Greetham Street found guilty raping
Waleed Alharbi has been convicted of raping a woman at his Portsmouth flat following a trial at Winchester Crown Court. A jury found the 26-year-old guilty of rape and attempted rape on…
Woman Jailed Shoplifting Offences Gosport
A Gosport woman has been sentenced to 19 weeks in prison after being found guilty of multiple shoplifting offences across the town. Sarah Ellen Thorne, 56, of Foster Road, appeared before Portsmouth…
Rapists jailed for life and 15 years for Portsmouth attacks
Two men who carried out horrific sexual assaults against three women in Portsmouth and Southampton have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms, including one life sentence. Bruno Sala, 39, a Portuguese national…
Adrian Jason Cribb Gosport Jailed 15 Years
Adrian Jason Cribb from Gosport has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for child sex offences. The 35-year-old was found guilty following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. Hampshire Constabulary received a…
Missing: Thomas Bartlett, 32, from Totton
Police are appealing for information to help locate missing Thomas Bartlett from Totton. The 32-year-old was last seen in Totton town centre at approximately 11am on Monday, 4 November. Mr Bartlett, from…
Man charged with murder of Anjela Chetty in Andover
A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of Anjela Chetty, 60, in Andover. Sashin Vishay Kumardew faces multiple charges including murder and attempted murder. Police were called to…
Gosport man jailed six years for stabbing woman six times
A teenager has been jailed for six years after stabbing a woman six times in Gosport. Teejay Scott, 19, of The Anchorage, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court following the brutal attack…
Havant Man Faces Historic Child Sex Abuse Charges
A 63-year-old Havant man is scheduled to appear before Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court today facing multiple historic child sex offence charges dating back over a decade. Alastair Wilcockson, from Castle Avenue in Havant,…
Police Appeal for Witnesses After Winchester Stabbing
Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Winchester where three men were attacked by a group of teenagers, leaving two with stab wounds. Hampshire Police were alerted by ambulance…