HAMPSHIRE Police is cracking down on vehicle crime after tackling more than 100 incidents in a month.

The force launched Operation Wolf in the Test Valley to tackle burglaries and other crimes involving vehicles.

It was created in response to a rise in reports of theft of and from motor vehicles in the district and during the 28-day operation 108 crimes were reported.

These included 52 burglaries from sheds and garages, 34 thefts from motor vehicles, many targeting tools, 12 home burglaries and 10 vehicle thefts.

Operation Wolf originally took place between October and November.

Now operations will take place across the area to deter winter thieves while delivering crime prevention advice to residents to keep their property safe.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams will step up patrols and investigate hotspot areas while working with youth clubs and colleges to engage with teenagers and hand out crime prevention leaflets.

Sergeant Russell Hodges said: “Operation Wolf will provide reassurance to residents across the Test Valley district that we have a plan to combat rural acquisitive crime.

“We do not believe that all the incidents are linked and that they are likely to have been carried out by a small number of individuals all working separately.

“We are working hard to prevent and disrupt further crimes through pro-active patrols, the use of intelligence and extra targeted patrols.”

He added: “Being the victim of a burglary is extremely distressing and while we’ve worked hard to get offenders off the streets we can’t be complacent. These people bring misery to their own communities and by working together we can continue to make sure our communities are safe places to live. But the public are eyes and ears and information from them can make all the difference.

“Education and providing crime prevention advice is key to tackling this problem quickly, and by increasing patrols in the area I’m confident that this operation will be successful.”

Meanwhile residents are encouraged to secure expensive items like bicycles and lawnmowers in sheds and garages, mark all items with postcodes and serial numbers and ensure garden fences are in a good state.

Motorists are also advised to make sure vehicles are locked and remove or hide valuables away from plain sight.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to police on 101.