Officers take part in two nights of rural action in Basingstoke and Winchester districts

Officers have taken part in two nights of rural action across the Basingstoke and Winchester districts this week.

The team consisted of the Tadley Neighbourhood Team, Country Watch, the Police Control room, the Roads Policing Unit and the Dog Section.

On the evening of Monday 2 October, officers received a report of a suspicious vehicle near rural farm land in the Micheldever area.

A Ford Transit was stopped after driving away at speed and onto the A303. The vehicle had no tax and was seized.

Officers then discovered a stolen vehicle which had no number plates in the Bullington Cross area. The vehicle was seized and our enquires are ongoing. 

On the evening of Tuesday 3 October, the team received a report of potential hare coursing in the Micheldever area.

It was reported that two men with dogs, which were on rope leads, were walking along the A33.

Officers deployed to the area and a drone was used to search the surrounding areas, however the men were not located.

Later that night, a proactive stop of a vehicle in Basingstoke found it had no insurance.

The driver was later arrested and charged with driving a motor vehicle when level above limit.

Meanwhile, two other vehicles were seized for having no insurance and no tax and the drivers have been reported for the offences. 

At around 1am on 4 October, officers responded to a report of burglary on London Road, Old Basing.

A silver BMW was stolen from a driveway and officers deployed to the scene. Our enquiries are ongoing as officers try to locate the vehicle.

Officers would like to urge residents in rural areas to remain vigilant following reports of vehicles being stolen from outside their homes.

The offenders typically take car keys from within the house. They are possibly using an implement to hook the keys if they are near the front door.

They are then able to drive the car away with the keys. Please keep your keys in a safe and secure place and preferably not next to the front door.