Hampshire police are using to latest technology to counter the threat posed by criminals targeting rural communities across the county.

Organised gangs are travelling to Hampshire from other parts of the country to steal tractors, quad bikes, and other items that can be shipped abroad through the port of Southampton.

But police are vowing to make the county "impenetrable" to offenders determined to target farmers and other landowners.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are being deployed in hot spot areas identified by intelligence-gathering. Police are also using drones to search for stolen property and suspicious vehicles.

%image('17875200', type="article-full", alt="Officers stationed on the A338 north of Ringwood stopped vehicles to conduct checks and issue crime prevention advice")

Some of the technology was on show when officers stationed on the A338 north of Ringwood stopped vehicles to conduct checks and issue crime prevention advice.

They were joined by Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, and the county's Chief Constable, Scott Chilton.

Mrs Jones has vowed to provide £1.2m a year until 2027-28 to ensure the force has effective intelligence capabilities.

She said poaching, hare coursing, and fly-tipping - plus the theft of livestock and agricultural machinery - had devastating consequences for people living and working in the countryside.

“These crimes have to stop," she said.

%image('17876994', type="article-full", alt="Donna Jones, Scott Chilton, and some of the officers who took part in the operation on the A338 near Ringwood")

“Tackling rural crime is one of my top priorities. I have invested heavily in intelligence-gathering capabilities so the force can take action against the career criminals who intentionally victimise rural communities, seeing them as an easy option.

“The 650 extra officers over the last three years, as well as my announcement of a further 75 officers for 2024-25, means rural communities will see police more than ever before."

Mr Chilton added: "We are using all the tools at our disposal to make our communities a hostile environment for criminals.

"Alongside putting more officers in the places where they can be most effective, we also need to have the right information and technology to enable us to detect, deter and disrupt criminality.

“I have already made changes to the structure of the force so that our neighbourhood teams are targeting the criminals causing the greatest impact."

%image('17875168', type="article-full", alt="Officers stationed on the A338 north of Ringwood stopped vehicles to conduct checks and issue crime prevention advice")

Victims of rural crime include Charlie Hobbs, 33, who farms in the Netley Marsh area.

Two years ago five caravans stored on his land were stolen on the same night. He has also had to contend with the theft of bridles, saddles, and a horsebox that was later recovered at the port of Dover.

He said: "Crimes like theft and vandalism have a huge impact on farmers, whose business is often their home as well.

“Those working in the rural economy often have to worry about the safety of their crops, livestock, machinery but most importantly their families, so I am reassured to see action being taken.

“I am really glad to see the use of extra officers, as well as the deployment of technology and gathering intelligence, in our countryside.

"With these techniques in place, the police can help to identify those organised criminal groups and bring them to justice, while hopefully also deterring those who think rural areas are easy targets.

“I think all of us in rural and farming communities can be reassured that the crimes we are faced with are being policed with the same gravitas as those in our towns and cities."