Rural crimes in Hampshire will be targeted more fiercely this week due to intensified police force operations.

As of February 26 until March 1, numerous operations will be deployed to thwart wildlife, environmental, heritage, and agricultural criminals.

The aim is to disrupt offenders, provide security advice, and halt suspicious vehicles.

Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, Thames Valley, and Sussex police have formed a South East Partnership Against Rural Crime (SEPARC) to make the region less welcoming for countryside offenders.

Offences that target farms, agriculture, wildlife, and heritage sites due to their isolation or rural location are classed as rural crime.

Rural policing lead for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, ACC Lucy Hutson, said: “Rural crime has an enormous impact on those effected, as it often sees local businesses suffer serious financial loss, and can destroy the livelihoods of hardworking farmers.

“We are fortunate to have some of the most beautiful parts of the country on our doorstep in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and it’s so important that people can live in, work in and visit our rural spaces without fear of being targeted by criminals.

“Our dedicated Country Watch officers work closely with other policing teams across the two counties all year round to tackle seasonal crime trends, provide support to victims, and relentlessly pursue offenders blighting the countryside.

“This week of action gives us the opportunity to utilise the skills and expertise of specialist policing teams from our neighbouring forces, to bring the fight to criminals who operate across county borders in the South East.”

Thames Valley Police's ACC Christian Bunt, force lead for rural crime, said: “The aim of the SEPARC week of action is to bring forces closer together in tackling all types of rural crime and the offenders committing them.

“We know criminals use the road networks and docks to transport stolen goods so we will be targeting our operations on those areas, as well as high-visibility patrols and visiting businesses to provide crime prevention advice.”