Hampshire Constabulary Launches Operation Against Rural Crime
Hampshire Constabulary is cracking down on rural crime with a new operation targeting burglaries and wildlife offences in the area
Hampshire, Basingstoke, Rural Crime, Burglary, Poaching
Stratfield Saye: Criminals have been taking advantage of the longer nights to hit rural areas hard. They’re targeting farms and isolated communities, stealing everything from power tools to quad bikes.
Recently, several farms around Stratfield Saye and Basingstoke were hit by burglars. It’s not just property theft either; wildlife crimes like poaching are also on the rise.
Last week, Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya joined officers for a proactive operation to tackle these issues. They were out in force, covering a large area with patrols in rural towns and villages.
On Thursday night, officers responded to reports of suspicious activity near a fishery. They found two teenage boys trespassing on farmland in East Wellow, and a bag nearby contained two dead hares.
Meanwhile, police were on the lookout for a silver Honda CR-V linked to recent burglaries. They spotted it in South Warnborough and tried to pursue it, but the vehicle evaded capture and was later found burnt out.
Officers also conducted stop checks on vehicles in rural areas late at night, focusing on places like Tadley and Andover. Inspector Cath MacDonald emphasized that catching these criminals is only part of the solution; preventing these crimes is just as crucial for the community.