A police officer has been given a slap on the wrist after two thieves walked off a cruise ship with thousands of pounds of jewellery stuffed in their pants.

The Hampshire Constabulary officer was required to undertake "reflective practice" after two men were able to take more than £76,000 of jewellery from a store onboard MSC Virtuosa docked in Southampton.

Although they were caught on CCTV stuffing the eight rings and two necklaces into their underwear and were searched by police, officers did not find the items at the time.

Southampton Crown Court last week heard this was because the cruise ship had to leave and that officers were not able to review CCTV or speak to witnesses at the time.

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In the following weeks, a police investigation was launched and officers reviewed CCTV - which showed the men stuffing their underwear with the valuable goods - and interviews were conducted with witnesses at the scene, police said.

Once enough evidence was gathered, Gary Cooper, 30, and Benjamin Greenwood, 33 were arrested and charged with theft.

On Wednesday they appeared before Southampton Crown Court where they were sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and told to carry out 270 hours of community work.

Officers have been involved in attempted recovery of the stolen jewellery and suspected stolen goods have now been surrendered to police and are being reviewed.

Hampshire Constabulary has now revealed an internal review has been conducted in relation to the first searches.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that an internal review has been conducted in relation to the initial searches which took place at the scene and one officer has been required to undertake reflective practice as a result of this."

When asked about the powers the force would have in order to detain a vessel, the spokesperson explained: “We do have the power to stop, board, divert and detain a vessel under Section 88 of the Police and Crime Act 2017, however, the force would be liable for costs of associated berthing once detained so this needs to be necessary and proportionate.

"If a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence in law of England and Wales has been committed or a ship is being used in the commission of an offence under that law then Section 88 powers can be used.”