POLICE in the New Forest are urging the community to join the fight against metal thefts.

The Safer New Forest Partnership has raised the alert following a new spate of metal thefts and is now calling for more vigilance, especially after dark.

In the last year, lead has been stripped from St Paul's in Bisterne and St Peter and St Paul’s Church and Greyfriars Community Centre in Ringwood.

And manhole and drain covers, copper cables, aluminium road signs, ornate church flashing, statues and metal beer kegs have also been stolen.

Now householders and residents are being asked to report any suspicious activity over the festive period.

New Forest chief Inspector Lucy Hutson said: "It is important that we all work together in disrupting this type of criminal activity, and we encourage people to talk to us whenever they have information that may be useful in identifying offenders and preventing further offences. Please report any suspicious activity; we take your calls seriously.

“We want metal thieves to know that we, as a whole community, will not tolerate their actions."

New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing and communities Jill Cleary said: “I urge everybody who lives or works in the New Forest to keep a lookout for any suspicious behaviour, whether it is in the middle of the day, at teatime, or late at night under cover of darkness.

"Metal theft is a huge problem nationally and here in the New Forest, it is vital that we report any incidents immediately.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to any suspicious behaviour involving metal, such as people digging up cables or anybody on rooftops, especially at night, to dial 999 immediately to report it to the police.

Concerned residents can access information to prevent lead roofing and other metal thefts on the Safer New Forest Partnership website at communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk.