BURGLARS are being targeted by Hampshire police in a three-month campaign to cut the number of break-ins.

Operation Nemesis will see all sections of the police force unite to bring more burglars to justice across the county.

The campaign, which began on 5 January, has already seen 125 suspects arrested and Chief Constable Alex Marshall is determined to reduce the number of burglaries.

He said: “We know that burglary is a horrible crime which has a significant emotional impact on the victim and a financial impact on individuals and companies.

“In addition to preventing and solving burglaries, we need to build more confidence in the police, especially with rural communities and small businesses.”

The four priorities of Operation Nemesis are to provide a citizen-focused response to victims, to reassure and protect the public, to improve detection rates and secure justice and to prevent burglaries.

He added: “We need to demonstrate that we can be much more organised and efficient if we target criminals and work together.”

Known burglars will be targeted and intelligence will be gathered to identify burglars and their associates.

Officers will maximise the use of tools at their disposal from dog units and aircraft to search powers and surveillance techniques.

He also urged residents to report suspicious activity to police immediately and at the end of the operation, results will be evaluated.

The most effective tactics will be adopted force-wide to maintain the battle against burglary.