Find out how we police our rural communities and join your Area scheme today.
The rural geography presents unique policing challenges for Hampshire Constabulary. Preventing and detecting crime is often harder due to the fact that there may be fewer witnesses to criminal activity and there are greater opportunities for criminals to target isolated properties and businesses.
Rural Safer Neighbourhoods teams are working hard in rural towns and villages to identify priorities and solve community problems.
However, Hampshire Constabulary has recognised that more can be done to enhance service delivery in rural areas. For this reason, Country Watch has been expanded and is now being established across the three geographical policing areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The main aims of Country Watch are to reduce rural crime, reassure rural residents and to improve communication and engagement.
Country Watch officers work closely with Safer Neighbourhoods teams to identify, and disrupt through proactive operations, those intent on committing offences in our rural areas.
Country Watch Priorities
Through consultation with rural communities the following areas have been identified as having the greatest impact on rural life:
- Rural Theft
- Poaching
- Fly Tipping
- Nuisance Vehicles
Contact your local Country Watch team by calling 101 or emailing countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Rural Issues Group
This group is chaired by a chief inspector and is made up of representatives from all of the rural areas of Hampshire Constabulary. The group aims to share best practice, forge links with other rural police forces and community bodies and deal with emerging issues across the force.
You can view details of your Safer Neighbourhoods team online or find out who they are by calling 101.