Three Men Arrested in Connection with Theft Series in Botley and Hedge End

Police have arrested three men in connection with a series of vehicle-related thefts in the Botley, Hedge End, and Bursledon areas.

The arrests were made on Wednesday morning, 25 September, at an address in Southampton.The suspects are:A 24-year-old man from Southampton, arrested on suspicion of seven thefts from motor vehicles, theft of a motor vehicle, and burglary with intent to steal.

Another 24-year-old man from Southampton, arrested on suspicion of eight thefts from motor vehicles, theft of a motor vehicle, burglary with intent to steal, and possession of a Class B controlled drug.

A 21-year-old man from Fareham, arrested on suspicion of eight thefts from motor vehicles, two thefts of motor vehicles, and burglary with intent to steal.

All three have been released on conditional police bail, pending further investigation. Their bail conditions include curfews, exclusion zones, and restrictions on associating with one another.

The arrests follow a series of thefts reported in Botley on Kingsman Drive, Lewry Road, Marls Road, Wallace Avenue, and Sandy Field Way, as well as incidents in Fosters Copse, Bursledon, and Shafford Meadows, Hedge End.

The offences were reported between Monday, 23 September, and Tuesday, 24 September.

District Commander Matt Paling acknowledged the concern these incidents have caused in local communities and reassured residents that police are actively investigating.

“Our teams are working extremely hard to progress our investigation, as these latest arrests demonstrate. We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and will continue our efforts to ensure this happens,”

he said.Officers will be conducting reassurance patrols in the affected areas, and residents are encouraged to approach them if they have any concerns or questions.

Anyone with information about the incidents or relevant CCTV, doorbell, or dash cam footage is asked to contact the police by calling 101 and quoting incident number 44240413704.

Police are also urging any other victims of vehicle-related thefts to report these incidents as soon as possible.