Local Policing
Ministry of Defence Police
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Baughurst is covered by Hampshire Constabulary's Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
For information on what local policing does, its priorities for the area and beat surgery times, along with lots more interesting and useful information, visit Hampshire Constabulary's rural policing page.
To sign up for Hampshire alerts, use the following link:
Country Watch
This is a police-led scheme that works in partnership with other police departments such as Safer Neighbourhoods, Equine Liaison and Wildlife Crime.
Its aim is to reduce rural crime, reassure rural communities and improve communication between police, partner agencies and the communities themselves.
it's free to join and you'll be kept up to date with information from your local police about suspicious vehicles, people and crimes. You'll also be able to pass on information about suspicious activities you may have witnessed, which is then shared with other members. The scheme can also help with crime prevention steps such as property marking and the purchase of SmartWater (forensic coding system which can deter burglars, protect property and possessions) kits at reduced costs.
To find out more contact northandeast.countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk, or by phone on 07768 552907.
Basingstoke and Deane Country Watch North and East OCU
Sergeant Shaun Stinson, PC Lee Coleshill, PCSO Melissa Rowell
They specialise in dealing with issues related to rural and wildlife crime and work closely with key partner agencies and the rural community to help gather intelligence, provide a visible presence and tackle the issues that are important. To register for Country Watch, download an application form.
Download their Winter newsletter.
Operation Thornley
Operation Thornley was set up as a local scheme in the rural areas of the Basingstoke district in 2005. It was, and still is, a system that allows a member of the public to contact their local policing teams when they witness a poaching incident. The scheme proved so successful in our area that other operational policing teams in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are now using it. If you see an incident of poaching, be it fishing, hare coursing, deer stalking or anything else of a similar nature, you are encouraged to contact Hampshire Constabulary immediately and quote 'Operation Thornley'. The incident must be ongoing. On receipt of a call of this nature, the police controller will instigate an action plan. You will ask some standard questions such as:
- where are you?
- what have you seen?
- how many people are engaged in an unlawful activity?
Local police units will then be deployed to the area in an attempt to apprehend the offenders. If available, we will also deploy officers from the Roads Policing Unit, the Dog Section and even the police spotter plane. We have caught and successfully prosecuted a vast amount of people involved in these types of offences. If we can, we will seize the offender's vehicles and if the court orders it, the vehicles are crushed. For historical incidents, you are still encouraged to let us know, but not using the Operation Thornley method. By calling us on 101 or 0845 045 4545 you will be able to leave all the details of what you witnessed earlier and these will be forwarded to the Country Watch team for further investigation.
Secure your property - register it for FREE
We are currently running a campaign to prevent burglaries from being committed to all outbuildings, such as sheds, garages, farm stores and such. We all know that valuable items are stored in these buildings and that in itself makes them a place of interest to thieves. You need to ensure that all of your items are marked in some way. Post coding is a simple method. By using UV marker pens it won't mark the property in a way that appears unsightly, but, if you are unfortunate enough to have any items stolen, by having it marked, the chances of having it returned should it be recovered are obviously increased. Ask yourself:
- is the lighting at my property adequate?
- Are there locks on doors and if so, are they locked when the outbuilding is not in use?
- Are you happy with the overall security?
If not, then you may wish to do something about it before it's too late. If you need further security advice then you can contact a member of the Country Watch team on the details below, who will be happy to assist or point you in the right direction of our specialised crime prevention teams. Do you have a list of all your properties available, with descriptions and serial numbers? We now offer a FREE service where you can ensure all your valuables are listed with the Country Watch team so that if your property is stolen and recovered, we have a better chance of reuniting it with you.
Download the form and email it back to the Country Watch team.
Free Tack Marking
By being a member of our Country Watch scheme, we are able to offer you a free tack marking and crime prevention service. Officers are able to come to your stables or yard at your convenience to mark your tack including saddles and bridles. For further information or advice and to arrange for your tack marked please contact PCSO Melissa Rowell on the details below.
Useful contacts
Click here for a list of useful contacts.
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