FOUR Southampton youths have been arrested and charged with a number of offences committed in Nursling and Rownhams during a police crackdown on crime in the area.

The four were arrested by police investigating a range of crimes and the offences have included thefts from vehicles and non-dwelling burglaries, be-lieved to have included raids on people's garages and garden sheds.

Since arriving at Romsey four weeks ago, Sector Inspector Bernadette Smith has focused much of her attention on the Nursling and Rownhams and the North Baddesley areas following a recent upsurge in antisocial behaviour, criminal damage and theft. Inspector Smith has been working with a number of key agencies and partners to tackle the recent increase in crime with targeted patrols.

Other operations being planned are aimed at providing residents with crime prevention advice designed to minimise the risk of them becoming a victim of crime.

One of the agencies being approached is Neighbourhood Watch, which police believe can play a vital role in helping to reduce crime through its network of co-ordinators and members.

One item on the Neighbourhood Watch agenda will be to encourage householders to lock sheds and garages and use security devices in them to reduce the number of thefts from outbuildings.

The locking of gates to rear gardens is also an added deterrent to a potential thief who is looking for an easy opportunity to commit crime.

Inspector Smith said: "Approximately a third of all crimes are committed by opportunist thieves against insecure property or vehicles.

"A motorist who leaves valuable items like satellite navigation systems on display in the car, or a householder who leaves cycles, golf clubs or other valuable items in unlocked sheds or garages, provides a thief with an open invitation to steal."

She added: "What we are trying to do is encourage residents to be more mindful of the ease with which they sometimes make it easier to become a victim of crime by offering the opportunity."

Inspector Smith is also encouraging members of the public to report any suspicious activity by phoning Romsey police station on 0845 045 45 45, with details and descriptions of any individual or vehicle that is seen in suspicious circumstances, or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555111.

Inspector Smith concluded: "Nobody knows their local neighbourhood better than the residents who live there. They can play a vital role in helping us to reduce crime in their area by providing us with information about those who may be committing crimes in their area. We strongly urge them to phone us using 999 in an emergency or when a crime is being committed, 101 to report criminal damage or antisocial behaviour or 0845 045 45 45 for general police enquiries."