Officers have been out at night carrying out proactive operations to target rural criminals in the north of the county.

The aim of the intelligence-led operations has been to flood areas of previously affected by rural crime and disrupt offenders who operate under the cover of darkness.

Rural crime, including theft of farming equipment and machinery, continues to be a district priority in both Winchester and Test Valley.

The districts’ Neighbourhood Enforcement Team has led on the operations, with support from officers from our specialist Country Watch team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Priority Crime Teams, Roads Policing and the dog units.

During the operations, officers stop checked vehicle types that are either typically associated with the movement of stolen goods, or vehicles that were actively transporting farming and plant machinery.

On Friday 11 April, a total of 25 officers took part, using marked and unmarked vehicles, including off-road motorbikes and drone equipment.

Starting from Bishops Waltham, the operation covered areas in the Winchester, Test Valley and East Hants areas including Soberton Heath, West Meon Hut, Micheldever, the Wallops and near Stockbridge.

A total of 49 vehicles were stopped during the course of the operation and six people searched.

A 29-year-old man from Andover was arrested on suspicion of a drug driving offence after officers stopped a van in Winchester Road, near Stockbridge. He has since been released under investigation.

In a separate stop, officers seized a pit bike that was being ridden on a road near West Meon. The rider was issued with a s59 warning.

A second operation took place on the evening of Friday 9 May, and focused on areas in the Winchester district, including Sutton Scotney, New Alresford, Hinton Ampner, Colden Common and Hursley.

Again, a team of officers visited each area, and carried out a number of vehicle stops.

A 21-year-old man from New Alresford was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving, after officer stopped a vehicle on the Percy Hobbs Roundabout, near Winchester. He has been released under investigation.

Officers also gave words of advice to a man seen with fishing equipment but without a rod licence following a stop in New Alresford. Fish poaching is a criminal offence is a criminal offence under Schedule 1 of the Theft Act 1968.

These proactive operations will continue in the coming months in both Winchester and Test Valley.

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Sergeant Matt Underwood, from the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, said: “Rural crime, including the theft of machinery and equipment, is often carried out by organised criminals who think they can target and intimidate innocent people who live and work in these areas.

“This is simply unacceptable, and these operations will focus on those who think they can operate under the cover of darkness.

“We have used information gathered by officers and submitted by members of the public to plan where and when we carry out these operations, and will continue to do so as we start the summer months.

“If you have information that may be of use to us, then please do contact us. It helps us get a clearer picture of what is going on and strengthens our ability to disrupt this criminality. We want to hear from anyone who has noticed suspicious people or vehicles in your area, or any damaged or burnt out vehicles that have been sighted.”

If you have information about crime or suspicious activity in your area, please report this to police on 101, or via the report tool at www.hampshire.police.uk

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Dial 999 if a crime is in progress, or in the event of an emergency.

If you are a member of DISC you can also use this platform to provide information to the police. If you have a business connection to the rural and wildlife environment, you may be eligible to be a member of DISC. Please email discreports@hampshire.police.uk 

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