There is nowhere to hide...

That’s the warning from Hampshire police as they wage their biggest war against burglars in a bid to drive down crime.

Aircraft with thermal imaging equipment, dawn raids and sniffer dogs are just some of the tactics being used to track down thieves.

Every single serving officer will also play a part in the three-month operation designed to stamp out rising numbers of break-ins.

Operation Nemesis was launched at the beginning of the year but details have been kept secret until today.

Now the Daily Echo can reveal how 125 suspects have already been arrested following raids and the use of intelligence – and police chiefs warn that’s only the start.

This afternoon the county’s chief constable Alex Marshall was set to unveil details of Op Nemesis – one of the force’s biggest ever campaigns – and urge members of the public to help the fight against burglars by reporting suspicious activity.

Part of the pledge from police chiefs will include ensuring that every victim of a break-in is visited by officers while pursuing convicted burglars to repay every penny under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In the next three months householders will be offered advice on how to keep their homes safe and events targeting a community’s specific needs will take place in each area of the county.

The mammoth operation comes as Britain’s top judge urged courts to impose harsh sentences on burglars who violate other people’s homes and terrorise their victims by stealing irreplaceable and sentimental items.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said: There is a long-standing, almost intuitive belief that our homes should be our castles. Something precious is violated by burglary and those who perpetrate this crime should be sentenced and punished accordingly.”

Speaking ahead of today’s launch at Hampshire’s police training HQ in Netley, Mr Marshall 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.”

Adding that every effort will be made to recover the proceeds of burglary through teams of police financial investigators, Mr Marshall said: “We want to make burglars aware that we will take everything they have as part of their punishment.”

Det Supt Sara Glen added: “We really do understand the impact on victims – we deal with people who are left with problems sleeping and sometimes elderly who feel like they need to arm themselves in their own homes.”