Hampshire Constabulary

 Sergeant Glenn Curtis is responsible for the Safer Neighbourhoods team covering Andover Rural Sector. The officers and staff on the team are:

• PC Martin Benton: King Somborne, Little Somborne, Ashley, Bossington   
• PC Simon Beecroft: Broughton, Houghton, Longstock, Over Wallop, Nether Wallop    
• PC John Viney: Stockbridge, Leckford, Chilbolton
• PC Richard Jewell: Goodworth Clatford, Upper Clatford, Wherwell, Abbots Ann, Longparish             
• PC Bill Williams: Shipton Bellinger, Thruxton, Amport, Grately, Kimpton, Fyfield, Penton Grafton, Penton Mewsey, Monxton          
• PC Roger Kitson: Hurstborne Tarrant, Vernham Dean, Faccombe, Linkenholt, Tangley
• PCSO Rachel Cassell
• PCSO Michael Alder
• PCSO Lisa Flowers

Please click on the relevant links above to find out more about your local officers.

We would like to welcome PCSO Lisa Flowers, who has joined our team this month. To find out more about PCSO Flowers please click on her name above.

Click here to read the latest beat report from the Andover Rural Safer Neighbourhoods team.

Locally, we work with your community to find out what matters most where you live. We will work with you and our partner agencies to agree the main priorities for the area and how we will work together to tackle them. 

Priorities for Andover rural include: 

• Targeting and reducing poaching on all land across the rural Test Valley, including Hare Coursing and the illegal taking of fish from the River Test.
• Theft of scrap metal and red diesel/heating oil.

These are the priorities that people in your local area have agreed with the Safer Neighbourhoods team. You can influence these priorities by contacting your team, attending a meeting or speaking to members of the team when you see them out and about.

Action we have taken in relation to your priorities

The Safer Neighbourhoods teams endeavour to make Andover rural a better place to work, live and visit.  

Poaching on all land across the rural Test Valley

Poaching has frequently been a problem in the rural community and recently we have seen a rise in the number of reported incidents. There is no specific pattern to these reports and offenders often travel in from neighboring counties. The rural police team together with Country Watch, who are a specialist team set up to tackle many of the issues surrounding wildlife crime, are now working together to look at these problems. Over recent months we have run a number of police operations in an effort to tackle the issues. These have been supported by other specialist units within Hampshire Constabulary.  Where evidence supports it, positive action is taken against anyone suspected of poaching. Numerous prosecutions have taken place and others are currently under investigation.  The support of local land owners, game keepers and other involved parties is very much appreciated and encouraged. Training and support is being given to the response team police officers based at Andover, who also respond to reports of poaching, so that lawful, positive action can be taken when they attend such incidents in support of local neighbourhood officers. Other ways of tackling this issue are being considered and will no doubt be developed over the coming weeks and months.

 
To view the opening times of Stockbridge Police station click here.  

YOUR SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS OFFICERS:

My name is PC Simon Beecroft and I am responsible for the villages of Longstock, Broughton, Houghton, Palestine, Over Wallop and Nether Wallop. I have been a police officer for 18 years and have worked at Stockbridge for the past four. As beat manager, I am the named point of contact for policing in the area and provide a link between parish councils and other partner agencies. If you live in one of the above villages you will see me regularly patrolling either on foot, on a bicycle or in a marked patrol car.

The current priorities for this beat are anti-social behaviour in Over Wallop, theft from motor vehicles at our local beauty spots and poaching. These priorities are currently under review and I have been attending parish council meetings to find out if members of the local community would like them to be updated.  If you have any issues that you feel should be a police priority then please contact me so that they can be considered.  To target anti-social behaviour in Over Wallop we have worked with members of the community, the parish council and TVBC to set up a community sports programme. This has been very successful and has led to a reduction in reported incidents for the past two years. With regard to the thefts from motor vehicles, I regularly visit the car parks at our local beauty spots and hand out our ‘Car Safe’ warning notices that act as a reminder not to leave anything valuable in your unattended vehicles. These can also be displayed to inform prospective thieves that nothing valuable has been left in the vehicle. This has led to a reduction in reported thefts. However, there has been a recent rise in thefts from vehicles parked at Danebury Hill Fort so please remain vigilant and I will increase my patrols of that area over the coming months. We have also been running several poaching operations, which have involved extra police resources like the Roads Policing Unit, the Dogs Unit and our Air Support Unit. We have been working with local game keepers to deter and catch the poachers and several have been successfully prosecuted.

Myself or PCSO Mike Alder will be at the following locations (incidents permitting) so please come and speak to us about any issues or concerns you may have:

• Wallop Primary School - after school visit - Friday, September 10 between 3pm and 3.30pm
• Nether Wallop Parish Council meeting - Monday, September 13 between 7.30pm and 8pm
• Over Wallop Parish Council meeting- Monday, September 13 between 8pm and 8.30pm
• Coffee morning at the White Hart Pub, Over Wallop - Wednesday, September 15 between 10.30am and 12 noon.
• Danebury Hill Fort - beat surgery - Thursday, September 16 between 6pm and 6.30pm
• Broughton Village Hall - beat surgery - Thursday, September 16 between 6.45pm and 7.30pm
• Over Wallop Village Shop - beat surgery - Thursday, September 16 between 7.45pm and 8.30pm
• Danebury Hill Fort - beat surgery - Friday, September 17 between 6pm and 6.30pm
• Longstock Village Hall - beat surgery - Friday, September 17 between 6.45pm and 7.15pm
• Houghton Village Hall - beat surgery- Friday, September 17 between 7.30pm and 8pm
• Broughton Primary School - after school visit - Monday, September 20 between 3pm and 3.30pm
• Test Valley Secondary School - after school visit - Thursday, September 24 between 3pm and 3.30pm

I am PC Martin Benton and since January 2007 I have been the beat manager for the Somborne beat which includes the villages of Kings Somborne, Little Somborne, Up Somborne, Ashley and Brook. Prior to this I have worked in the Test Valley Rural area for the last 17 years predominantly in the Shipton Bellinger and Weyhill areas. I therefore feel I have a good understanding of village life and country matters. I am also a Wildlife Crime Officer and as such deal with wildlife crime as diverse as poaching, habitat destruction and the illegal importation of listed animals and plants.

The current priorities for this beat, as decided with parish councils, are reducing juvenile nuisance and inconsiderate parking and increasing police visits to open areas of the villages like allotments and the playing fields. Regarding juvenile nuisance, we have encouraged the young people in the village to launch a petition for a youth shelter, which should reduce the problems. This has been very succesful so far, with many signatures from youths and adults alike. I have also found a sponsor for the youth shelter through the parish council meetings and the proposal was greeted favourably at the council meeting on March 1. Foot and mobile patrols continue in the villages.

If you feel that we can help with anything else in the village that is affecting your quality of life then please contact me at Stockbridge either by phone, email or at one of our publicised visits. Myself or PCSO Mike Alder will be at the following locations (incidents permitting) at the times and dates shown below:

• Kings Somborne Parish Council meeting - Monday, September 6 between 7pm and 7.30pm
• Kings Somborne coffee morning at Epworth Hall - Tuesday, September 7 between 10.30am and 11am
• Kings Somborne Village Hall - beat surgery - Saturday, September 11 between 10am and 11am
• Street Meet in Eldon Road, Kings Somborne - Thursday, September 16 between 7pm and 8pm
• Kings Somborne coffee morning at Epworth Hall - Tuesday, September 21 between 10.30am and 11am
• Kings Somborne Primary School - after school visit - Wednesday, September 22 between 3pm and 3.30pm 

I am PC Roger Kitson and since 2004 I have been the beat manager for the rural section to the north of Andover. Specifically, I look after the villages under the parishes of Hurstbourne Tarrant, Vernham Dean and Tangley. These include Hatherden, Wildhern, Upton, Ibthorpe, Littledown, Faccombe, Linkenholt and Pill Heath. Below are the local policing priorities for these areas and the actions we have undertaken to address them: 

Hurstbourne Tarrant

You said: Anti-social behaviour was your main concern.

We did: As a result of working closely with out partner agencies, three youths from the village have now been placed on acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs) for a period of six months. We have also increased police presence in the village. The Parish Council has noted this and thanked us.

Vernham Dean

You said: Speeding vehicles, targeted vandalism of the pavilion and dog fouling around the area are your key concerns.

We did: We have contacted the Roads Policing Unit and have asked them to visit the village and conduct an anti-speeding initiative. Test Valley Borough Council have also been contacted and we have asked them to consider erecting "Twenty is Plenty" signs around the pre-school. Work on these issues is ongoing.

Tangley, Hatherden and Wildhern:

You said: You were concerned about speeding and fly tipping.

We did:  We have contacted the Roads Policing Unit and have asked them to visit these villages as well to conduct anti-speeding initiatives. If fly tipping is seen taking place then we can deal with it, but it is all too likely that the offence will have already taken place by the time we are made aware of it. In these cases, Environmental Health at Test Valley Borough Council would need to be contacted. 

If you have any issues or concerns in your neighbourhood which are not covered by the priorities above then please contact me at Stockbridge Police Station or let your Parish Council know. I have, together with PCSO Rachel Cassells, organised a community engagement plan for 2010 and, incident permitting, at least one of us will be present and available to talk at the following locations:

• Hurstbourne Tarrant School - after school visit - Monday, September 6 between 3pm and 4pm
• Vernham Dean School - after school visit - Wednesday, September 15 between 3pm and 4pm
• Hurstbourne Tarrant British Legion car park - Thursday, September 16 between 6.30pm and 7.15pm
• Vernham Dean Millennium Hall car park - Thursday, September 16 between 7.30pm and 8.15pm
• Hatherden Village Hall - Thursday, September 16 between 8.30pm and 9.15pm
• Vernham Dean residents meeting - Tuesday, September 21 between 10.30am and 12.30pm
• Scouts night, Hurstbourne Tarrant - Thursday, September 23 between 6pm and 8pm

I am PC Bill Williams and I have been a police officer for 22 years. I am now a Safer Neighbourhoods officer and my beat stretches from the extreme Northwest frontier of Hampshire, Penton Mewsey right down as far south as Grateley. My area includes Thruxton race circuit and airfield and on at least two occasions each year I assist in policing the venue whilst up to 40,000 spectators visit the circuit for the Superbike and touring car championship races.  I have managed to form many partnerships in the area and I work very closely with the Army out at Tidworth and Bulford. The current problems with poaching in our area has prompted me to set up a very successful Farm Watch programme, which holds a meeting every three months. We also work very closely with the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop who continue to report to police should they witness any suspicious activity in the farming community, which is particularly helpful at night. 

Come and meet PCSO Rachels Cassells or me (incidents permitting) at the following locations:

• Appleshaw Village Hall - beat surgery - Monday, September 20 between 1.30pm and 2pm
• The Pentons (by the cricket ground) - beat surgery - Monday, September 20 between 2.15pm and 2.45pm
• Weyhill Fairground - beat surgery - Monday, September 20 between 2.50pm and 3.30pm
• Amport/Monxton Village Hall - beat surgery - Monday, September 20 between 3.45pm and 4.15pm
• Grateley station stores - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 11am and 11.30am
• The Plough Inn, Grateley - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 11.35am and 12.05pm
• Quarley Village Hall - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 12.15pm and 12.45pm
• Shipton Bellinger Village Hall - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 2pm and 2.30pm
• East Cholderton Scout Hut - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 2.30pm and 3pm
• Thruxton Memorial Hall - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 3.30pm and 4pm

My name is PC Richard Jewell and I am the local beat manager for the area covering Abbotts Ann, Anna Valley, Upper Clatford, Goodworth Clatford, Wherwell, Longparish and Barton Stacey.   I have been a police officer since 1992. I started my career at Basingstoke before coming to the Andover area in 1998.

Over the coming weeks and months I will be arranging a number of informal meetings around the villages where we invite you to come and meet us and talk about the issues you may feel concern you and your neighbourhood. Incidents permitting, I will be at the following locations:                                             

• Longparish Primary School - after school visit - Wednesday, September 15 between 3pm and 3.30pm
• Wherwell Primary School - after school visit - Wednesday, September 15 between 3pm and 3.30pm
• Abbotts Ann Village Hall - beat surgery - Saturday, September 18 between 12 noon and 12.30pm
• Anna Valley Village Shop - beat surgery - Saturday, September 18 between 12.45pm and 1.15pm
• Upper Clatford - beat surgery - Saturday, September 18 between 1.30pm and 2pm
• Goodworth Clatford - beat surgery - Saturday, September 18 between 2.15pm and 2.45pm
• Barton Stacey's Over 6O's Club - Tuesday, September 21 between 2.30pm and 3pm
• Clatford Primary School - after school visit - Monday, September 27 between 3pm and 3.30pm
• Longparish Village Shop - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 6pm and 6.30pm
• Barton Stacey Village Shop - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 6.45pm and 7.15pm
• Wherwell - beat surgery - Monday, September 27 between 7.30pm and 8pm
• Barton Stacey Primary School - after school visit - Tuesday, September 28 between 3pm and 3.30pm

I am PC John Viney, the beat manager for the villages of Stockbridge, Chilbolton and Leckford. I have been a police officer in Test Valley for a number of years and am particularly interested in all aspects of rural life. I strongly believe that all members of our community should be able to enjoy life without suffering unduly from crime, harassment or anti-social behaviour. I will do my best, along with our partner agencies to resolve any such issues. Please feel free to contact me directly at Stockbridge police station, by calling 101 or by e-mailing andoverrural.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk .

At present the priorities on this beat are reducing poaching offences and the theft of fuel. Various operations against suspected poachers have been conducted in recent months. Fuel thefts have been investigated and measures are being taken to improve security for bulk supplies. Those suspected of using stolen fuel in their vehicles have also been targeted by high profile road checks, where vehicle fuel tanks are checked. I have recently been asked to look at the problem of people misusing disabled parking spaces in Stockbridge High Street and so it is likely that this will be formally added as a beat priority for Stockbridge in the near future.

I have asked local parish councils to consider whether there should be any changes or additions to these priorities. What do you think? If you have any concerns or issues in your neighbourhood you would like adding to the local policing priorities then please tell me! Myself or one of our PCSOs will be attending the following community meetings in the next couple of months and we try to be present for 30 minutes prior to the start of each meeting (incidents permitting) to enable members of the community to meet us and raise any issues they have:

• Chilbolton Committee meeting - Tuesday, September 14 at 7pm
• Stockbridge Primary School Centenary - Wednesday, September 15 between 12 noon and 3pm
• Leckford Shop - Wednesday, September 22 between 10.30am and 11am
• Chilbolton - Abbotts Mitre - Wednesday, September 22 between 11.15am and 11.45am
• Outside Stockbridge police station - Wednesday, September 22 between 12 noon and 12.30pm

YOUR POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS:

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) routinely patrol places of concern to residents, including areas suspected of suffering from drugs and substance misuse, anti-social and nuisance behavior.  PCSOs provide a positive police presence throughout the area, deterring offenders and reassuring the public. They have formed good links with many people in the community and by gaining an understanding of the concerns of local residents, they can really help to provide solutions to problems affecting an area.

My name is PCSO Mike Alder and I joined the team at Stockbridge Police Station in January 2009. I help look after beat 8, which includes villages of Kings Somborne, Little Somborne, Up Somborne, Ashley and Brook and beat 9, which includes the villages of Longstock, Broughton, Houghton, Palestine, Over Wallop and Nether Wallop.   Hopefully by now you will have seen me out on patrol, on foot or by bike, in your villages. Next time you see me please stop and say hello or take the opportunity to talk to me about anything which is concerning you in your neighbourhood. Throughout the coming year, the beat managers and I have arranged to visit the villages at certain pre-advertised times which should give everyone a chance to speak to us on an informal basis. Please see PC Benton's and PC Beecroft's sections above for the dates, times and locations of these.

I am PCSO Rachel Cassells and I’m the longest serving PCSO in this area. I work closely with PC Bill Williams and PC Roger Kitson and cover 23 villages and eight schools. Both my colleagues and I are seeking to take a more active role in the community and to increase our visibility in smaller areas, so don’t be surprised if we turn up to a coffee or morning or attend a football practice. Most noticeably we have had a more proactive role within schools. I personally have gone around all the schools that I cover giving assemblies about my role to the children as well as presentations to parents about how to keep children safer on the internet. We have several more school engagements lined up and will also be attending residents meetings and parish council meetings. If there is ever anything that you would like my colleagues or me to attend then do not hesitate to contact us. For more details about where you can come and find me to speak to me please see PC Bill William's section and PC Roger Kitson's section (both above).

My name is PCSO Lisa Flowers and I am the newest member of the Andover Rural Safer Neighbourhoods team. I am looking forward to working within the community and getting to know more of you very soon. If you see me out on patrol please come and say hello and please let me, or any of my colleagues, know if there are any issues or concerns in your neighbourhood which you would like our team to address. 

How you can take action

Come and tell us what is important to you in your neighbourhood, and play your part in setting local priorities.      

If you would like to meet your local Beat Officer and/or PCSO, please make contact with them through Stockbridge police station.  All officers have regular Community Engagement activity planned where they are available for you to speak to – details of these can be obtained from any of the staff at Stockbridge police station.

You could also volunteer to help the teams working in your local area and make a real difference to your neighbourhood.  Click here for more information about police support volunteers. 

Crime mapping and local performance information

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How to contact us

If you would like to speak to any of the officers responsible for policing in your local area, please call 101 or e-mail them on: andoverrural.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.  

Page last reviewed on September 1