RURAL crime in the Winchester district has fallen by more than 25 per cent in the last year, Hampshire Police has announced.

The force say poaching has been reduced by 30 per cent and criminal damage has dropped by 22 per cent. The highest fall was fuel theft, which has been reduced by 73 per cent across the area.

The figures were unveiled at the Winchester District Rural Crime Event at Perins School in Alresford on Monday night (21/3) with more than 40 farmers and landowners in attendance.

Winchester district commander chief inspector Claire Taylor said she hopes more rural crime can be prevented with the help of local farmers.

“Over the past year we have felt that we have been on the back foot,” added Ch Insp Taylor.

“We have been too reactive rather than being proactive. What we need is the help of local landowners to build a better picture of the crime in rural communities.

“Even the most insignificant thing could be the last piece of the jigsaw we need to piece something together.”

But non-dwelling burglaries – outbuildings and barns – had increased by 10 per cent.

Ch Insp Taylor agreed that more needed to be done, but did admit that the reporting of crime had improved in the last year and this could be one of the reasons for the rise.

Country Watch inspector Louise Hubble added that the force had just undertaken a three-year review of rural crime.

“We have begun to build a better profile of what crimes happen most in certain areas,” said Insp Hubble.

“This means we can find the peak crime in specific areas and focus resources on preventing it, rather than clearing up after it.”