Hampshire police are rolling out a number of strategies in a bid to creating safer communities within the county . . .

HAMPSHIRE police are calling on residents across the county to play their part in making their communities safer.

Beginning with the Safer Homes launch this month, Hampshire police are rolling out a number of strategies focusing on driving down certain areas of crime which cause the most concern to residents.

The 'Creating Safer Communities' campaign will become the prime focus for policing across the county for the next year and will comprise four separate areas:

Safer Homes - Cracking down on domestic burglary

Safer Vehicles - Driving down vehicle crime

Safer Streets - Tackling violent crime, drugs and disorder

Safer Roads - Reducing deaths and injuries on our roads

Although national crime figures rate Hampshire and the Isle of Wight among the safest places to live, there is no dispute that in some areas crime figures in the county are moving in the wrong direction.

Each of the four areas has been identified through consultation with the public as being a particular threat to the safety of local communities.

A number of senior officers have been appointed as 'Tsars' to give a lead in each of the four areas so that a force-wide approach to dealing with burglaries, road accidents, street and vehicle crime can be adopted rather than having separate campaigns within the county.

Attention for the first three months will be spent be on reducing the number of burglaries being committed across the two counties through Safer Homes. Already more than a dozen arrests have been made as part of the high-profile launch.

Over the course of the year focus will be shifted to other areas of crime in the hope of achieving similar results.

As part of the drive the public are also being asked for their help in reducing crime not least by making themselves less vulnerable to criminals by taking adequate security precautions.

Particularly with the warmer months approaching, advice is being given out by burglary officers reminding people to secure doors and windows even if they are simply outside gardening or enjoying the sun.

Pleas are also being made to encourage homeowners not to leave handbags and valuables within easy sight of windows, particularly open ones where thieves can easily reach inside and snatch it.

Head of Southampton CID and the Burglary Investigation Unit Det Chief Insp Karen Manners said: "Safer Homes is simply about cutting burglaries and improving the quality of life for everybody in Hampshire.

"By working together with the public, we can make Southampton an even safer place to work and live and are determined to do just that."

Anyone with information which could help police inquiries into those committing burglary or handling stolen goods can call the BIU at Hulse Road on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

TIPS ON HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE:

Outside:

Ensure boundary fences are in a good state of repair

Planting prickly bushes or shrubs in borders and by fences will deter burglars thinking of climbing in your garden

Ensure garden gates, garage and shed doors are securely locked

Neighbours can also play their part in helping reduce burglaries by keeping an eye open on neighbouring properties when they know they are unoccupied and reporting any suspicious activity or unknown vehicles in the area to the police immediately

Security lighting is also recommended to alert homeowners to people on their property

Never leave a spare key under a doormat or in a flower pot - a burglar will look there

Inside the home:

Crime Reduction officers in Hampshire recommend homeowners fitting British Standard approved (BS3621) locks to all doors and windows

One of the biggest deterrents to a burglar is an alarm system that is obvious and activated

Security marking all valuables and expensive items with a UV marker pen will help prove identity of ownership

Make sure back and front doors are secure even if you are just popping out or doing some gardening

Ensure that handbags and valuables are not left in sight or near an open window when a thief can see what can be stolen and just reach in to get it

Taking steps to lock cash, jewellery and other small valuable items in a safe place is a good habit to get into.

Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in the house.

Using a timer switch to set your lights, radios and other appliances to come on if you are away overnight or are on holiday