A MAJOR police crackdown to cut the number of people across Hampshire who suffer the misery of being burgled has been launched in Basingstoke.

The new Safer Homes campaign aims not only to target the thieves, but also to drive a message home to people about practical steps they can take to beat burglars.

Basingstoke's top policeman, Superintendent Paul Netherton, has headed a proactive strategy to combat domestic burglary in the town since last summer.

The Gazette - which has also run its own Burglary - Let's Beat It campaign - has since reported on major successes and a plummeting burglary rate as a result of proactive work by local officers.

Supt Netherton is also the constabulary's lead officer on drawing up strategy to tackle the issue, which is why Basingstoke has been chosen as the launch location for Safer Homes.

Speaking ahead of the launch, he told The Gazette of his determination to maintain a tough approach towards burglars operating in the town.

"With the help of the public and The Gazette, we have been very successful at reducing burglary," he said.

"Over the last six months we have reduced the number of burglaries by 40 per cent but there are still people out there who are committing the crime and we will concentrate on arresting them.

"We also need the residents of Basingstoke to think about their home security, not to leave doors and windows open, to challenge strangers coming to their homes and not to give the thieves a chance."