Hundreds of rural crimes reported to police in Hampshire thanks to new app

A rural policing app has attracted 500 members and received 188 crime reports since launching in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight earlier this year.

The EyesOn app was introduced in March by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, to help people working in rural and wildlife-related businesses receive policing updates and report crime, anti-social behaviour and suspicious activity.

Since its launch, the platform has published 215 news articles and alerts, covering rural policing, crime prevention advice, positive news and updates from community partners.

The app also provides a dedicated reporting process for rural crime, with reports sent directly to police contact management teams for assessment and allocation. Members' details are already recorded, meaning they do not have to enter their personal information each time they report an incident.

Gareth Lewis, from UKPAC, which supported the app's development, said reaching 500 members was a significant milestone.

He added that Hampshire was the first police force in the UK to adopt the app, adding that the 188 reports demonstrated its value in helping rural residents and businesses share information with police.

Mr Lewis said the ambition was to introduce EyesOn Rural in every rural county across the UK, with support from the National Farmers' Union and discussions already taking place with several other forces.

Inspector Cath MacDonald, of the Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force, said: “EyesOn continues to be a fantastic platform which brings our rural communities together with police in one accessible and easy to manage space.

“It is making a real difference to how we build intelligence and engage with our communities, whilst ensuring rural policing is more accessible to the public.”

The app has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, who explained that reporting rural crime had not always been straightforward.

She said: “The processing of crime reports by the digital app allows for more effective frontline policing in our countryside. Since I launched the app earlier this year, EyesOn has already helped to make rural areas across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer places to live and work.”

Police are now looking to increase membership to reach more rural communities.

EyesOn is designed for people with a business interest in rural or wildlife matters, including farmers, gamekeepers and rural estate owners. Approved users can also join a private community for rural businesses, workers and partner agencies.