The crimes being committed in rural Hampshire - and what police are doing to stop criminals in their tracks

Criminals in rural parts of Hampshire are poaching salmon, hunting hares and intimidating farmers, according to police.

At a meeting in Southwick Estate, members of the rural community met with police to discuss the issues they are facing from criminals - and what is being done to protect them.

Last June, a country watch rural task force was set up, with officers dedicated to patrolling rural areas. To date, the task force has recovered £574,000 worth of goods, including plant and machinery.

A new app has also been launched by Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner, Donna Jones, allowing countryside businesses to report crimes at the touch of a button.

Called EyesOn, the app has already processed 62 crime reports - including 37 poaching incidents, 18 suspicious vehicles and two wildlife crimes.

Ms Jones said: “It is vital that officers receive CCTV and intelligence from these rural businesses, to help catch offenders and combat the targeting of farmers and landowners by criminal gangs.

“Rural crime is a blight to our countryside communities and EyesOn is already assisting our focus in this area to tackle these crimes.

“I want everyone across our region to feel safer and to forge stronger links with their local police officers, while there are now a dozen new local bobbies placed into rural areas.

“I would encourage anyone with a rural business to apply to join the EyesOn app for free giving them the ability to report incidents easily and quickly, while also receiving ongoing day-to-day help and support from police.”

EyesOn is available for free to all Hampshire Rural Community group members. For more information, go to eyesonapp.com.