A RURAL crime targeted three times this year has raised concerns over the issue.

That is the view of one victim of crime in the rural area east of Basingstoke who has been struck three times this year by burglars who have made off with items somewhere in the region of £10,000.

In the latest incident, the victim, who does not wish to be named, had a quad bike stolen from their property late on Wednesday, 21 November, into Thursday, 22 November.

This follows on from incidents earlier in the year in which another quad bike was stolen along with garden machinery.

The victim has hit out at the situation facing landowners in the areas around Hook, Hartley Wintney and Odiham, facing the threat of farm equipment and garden machinery being stolen.

They said: "There is a definitely a pandemic around Hook, Hartley Wintney and Odiham at the moment.

"You are insured of course, but then there is always the excess to pay and then you ramp up your security but the cost of that you cannot get covered, you have to pay for it.

"These people are coming to properties armed with spades, pitch forks and the like to properties where you have families with children.

"We are very lucky that we have a police constable who is proactive, but it seems the police forces do not speak to each other."

Anyone with any information about the burglary should call either 101 or Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800.555111 and quote the crime reference number 44180437376.

A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident and has been released from custody but remains under investigation.

The victim also cited other recent incidents on the other side of Basingstoke - sometime over the night of Saturday, 24 November to Sunday, 25 November, there were two reports of break ins into outbuildings - one in Roman Road, St Mary Bourne and the other at Hurst Bourne Park. In the first incident, tools and a quad bike were stolen, though nothing was taken in the second break-in.

Inspector Hannah Luchesa, from Hampshire Constabulary said: “Our neighbourhood teams in rural areas work closely with their communities to prevent and combat rural crime.

“As we talk to rural householders and businesses, we emphasise how crucial it is for them to report every crime to the police.

“Using this information, we can analyse where crime happens and tackle the organised gangs that target isolated properties and land.

“The neighbourhood teams also work alongside our dedicated Country Watch team.

“This specialist team works closely with partners to tackle poaching, agricultural plant theft, fly-tipping, wildlife crimes and other offences that matter to rural communities.

“Two national strategies for wildlife crime policing and rural affairs were published by the National Police Chiefs’ Council earlier this year.

“These strategies help to ensure that we work with colleagues in other counties to share best practice and target criminal activity effectively.

“An example of our work is Operation Rebate in the north of the county.

“This is our response to a series of burglaries and thefts in and around rural buildings and businesses that target plant, quad bikes, tools and any other high value items.

“This often sees us working with colleagues from Thames Valley and Surrey on dedicated operations.

“As part of this response, we have so far seized a number of vehicles and recovered more than £150,000 worth of property.”