FOUR Hampshire people have been arrested in Winchester on suspicion of theft offences.

Two men and two women from Southampton were arrested by police on Wednesday, February 7 at Boots on Winchester High Street after reports they were acting suspiciously.

Upon searching a vehicle officers believed was linked to the individuals, several items often used to assist in thefts were discovered.

 Officers then searched the suspects' homes, where they discovered in excess of £1,000 worth of suspected stolen goods from several retailers. The four individuals have all been released on bail with conditions.

A post on the Winchester Police Facebook page says: “Yesterday afternoon officers were alerted to four suspicious individuals in Boots on the High Street.  We attended and conducted some enquiries, as a result of which we arrested 2 males and 2 females for the offences of theft and going equipped to steal.

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“Upon searching a vehicle we believed was linked to these people, we located a number of items that are often used to assist in theft.

“Due to what was found and the evidence we had already identified, an Inspector authorised officers to conduct searches of their home addresses in Southampton.

“Late last night officers from Winchester NPT attended 2 addresses in Southampton and located in excess of £1000 worth of suspected stolen goods from a number of retailers.

“To allow us to continue the investigation all four individuals were released on bail with conditions.”