RETIRING Hampshire police chief Sir John Hoddinnott has received an official thank you for his support of a crimebusting phoneline.

The chief constable was presented with a special plaque from Southern Crimestoppers at a break-fast gathering last week.

Sir John, who steps down in September, said: "In this constabulary last year, there were 84 arrests as a result of calls to Crimestoppers.

"Crimestoppers is an excellent scheme.''

The plaque was presented by Southern Crimestoppers chairman Rick Clifford.

Crimestoppers is a charity which allows people to pass information to the police anonymously by dialling (freephone) 0800 555111.

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