THE New Forest is to become a “no go" area for criminals now police have launched a rampage on rural crime.

Speaking at the launch of Operation Falcon in Fritham yesterday Chief Inspector Simon Tribe said: “We are launching Op Falcon today as part of our continued commitment to make the region a no go area for criminals.”

The move comes after a startling increase in crime in the patch.

There have been 503 reported rural crimes since 2012 – 139 in 2012, 184 in 2013 and 180 in 2014.

But many people living in the county say many crimes go unreported and the figure could be much higher.

Now each month the force will target a crime that deeply affects rural communities.

The method analyses all incidents, criminality and seasonal trends to ensure an effective focus on issues that cause the biggest concerns.

The first operation will target theft from cars at beauty spot car parks. It only takes a few seconds for a window to be smashed and phones, bags and money to be stolen.

Recently a family of criminals from Salisbury were jailed for stealing from vehicles parked at beauty spots.

Wilfred Wells, aged 60 and his three sons Lenny Wells, aged 27, Edward William John Wells, aged 26, and Nicholas John Wells, aged 22 and all from Eyres Way, were jailed after admitting 90 offences.

Chief Inspector Tribe said: “We are launching Op Falcon today as part of our continued commitment to make the region a no go area for criminals.

“By using information provided by members of the public we can assess what the seasonal crime trends are and it enables us to be really targeted and focus our activity on the right people, in the right places and at the right time.

“We know at this time of year we start to see a rise in thefts from cars in beauty spots, so we have a range of activities planned Continued on Page 3 to target those responsible, as well providing crime prevention messages and visible patrols in vulnerable locations.

“Criminals operating in these areas have told us how they target nice areas and can easily find up to 50 insecure vehicles to steal money and valuables from.

“Even more concerning is that they will regularly return to the same places and find the same vehicles, again insecure and again with valuables left inside.

“Anyone coming here to commit crime will be pursued and prosecuted and by working with the local community and partner agencies we can be really effective in make our rural communities a hostile environment for anyone coming here to commit crime.

“There can sometimes be a perception that because action isn’t seen to be taken at the time, that nothing is happening. We are listening, we do take action and we are committed to tackling, disrupting and ultimately preventing criminal activity across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Operation Falcon supports the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Rural Policing Strategy, which was designed as part of the PCC’s challenge to close the gap between rural and urban solved crime rates.

Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes said: “Operation Falcon has been initiated following my challenge to the chief constable to reduce by 50 per cent, the gap in solved crime rates that currently exists between rural and non-rural beats. “I would though urge all members of the public to report anything or anyone they consider to be suspicious to the police, by phoning 101.

“I would also recommend to those living in rural areas, to sign up to Hampshire Alert at www.hampshirealert.co.uk to receive latest information about crime in their area.” For more information about Op Falcon follow #OpFalcon on Twitter or sign up to the free community messaging system www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk