Passers-by helped police catch New Milton shoplifter Kevin Hoole

POLICE praised passers-by for helping them chase down a shoplifter in New Milton who was convicted in court the next day.

Members of the public assisted officers who were pursuing Kevin Hoole on foot in the town on Monday afternoon, after he stole various items from Morrisons Daily on Avenue Road on 20th October.

Hoole (41) pleaded guilty to the theft when he appeared before Southampton magistrates on Tuesday.

The Bench fined him £50 and ordered he pay a £20 surcharge to help fund victim support services.

Posting online, PC Evans, of New Milton’s neighbourhood policing team, hailed “an amazing community effort” in helping bring Hoole to justice.

“We often say it, but it’s always worth repeating – we simply couldn’t do our job as efficiently and effectively without your support and eagle eyes,” he wrote.

“The foot pursuit went on for several minutes, but it would have likely been longer without several of you helping direct our officers to where the suspect was eventually located and detained.

“An amazing community effort, as ever. Thank you for all you did in helping us to narrow down the search.”