9:50am Sunday 14th March 2010
By Chris Gregory
REDUCING rural crime, burglary and theft – that’s the aim of a new six-week police operation in Hart.
Operation Capon will see officers focus on reducing thefts from cars, sheds and outbuildings in rural areas, and the theft of horse equipment such as saddles and stirrups.
Officers will hold tack-marking sessions during the operation, including one at the Hart Neighbourhood Centre in London Road, Hook, between 1pm and 3pm on April 3.
The operation, which started on March 1, will also see the police work with scrap metal dealers to stop the sale of stolen goods.
Inspector Ben Taylor, of the Hart district, said: “We have a large rural area here and we want to encourage members of the public to contact us if they witness any suspicious activity, particularly in secluded areas.
“Throughout the district we already have information sharing schemes such as Farm Watch and Neighbourhood Watch and we would encourage people to get involved in these too.”
The police have issued the following advice to motorists as part of Operation Capon: * Don’t leave anything in your car – if it’s not there, then it can’t be stolen * Choose a stereo that can be removed and take it with you * Your car isn’t safe on your driveway – nearly half of all incidents where items are stolen from cars happen when they are parked overnight, close to the owner’s home * Don’t leave anything with your address on it in your car.
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