POLICE have vowed to step up the battle against rural crime across Hampshire after admitting that more needs to be done.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh revealed 1,000 staff will be given specialist training in how to combat crime and antisocial behaviour in the countryside.

Mr Marsh said officers had already achieved good results in the New Forest and other rural areas. Action against travellers, illegal raves and vehicle theft was reaping “significant rewards”, with car crime in the Forest down by 24 per cent in the past 12 months.

But he added: “We have still got an awful lot to do.”

He was addressing a crime conference in Brockenhurst, one of the areas hit by poaching, fly-tipping and thefts from farm buildings.

Other speakers included Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, who said too many rural crimes were going unsolved compared with urban ones.

The former leader of New Forest District Council urged householders and businesses to work with the police as well as installing more burglar alarms and padlocks.

“The emphasis should be on preventing crime in the first place and we can’t do that without the help of the community,” said Mr Hayes.

“Policing in rural areas presents unique challenges, including the sheer distances involved.

“The isolated nature of communities and outbuildings can lead to a feeling of vulnerability and an increased fear of crime.”

Highlighting plans to make greater use of police resources and intelligence systems, Mr Hayes said: “Criminals may be thinking that budget pressures might present them with an opportunity to ply their trade. We are not going to let that happen.”

He was addressing an audience of farmers and landowners at the Balmer Lawn Hotel.

“We must show criminals that Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are not the place to commit crime. By working together we can defeat them,” he said.