IT is completely unacceptable.

Those are the words of councillors who have demanded action from the police and crime commissioner following a spate of burglaries in a quiet Hampshire village.

Cllr Richard Izard, the Colden Common Parish Council chairman, said the number of incidents had reached “unprecedented levels”.

There have been 16 recorded burglaries this year, as well as an armed robbery at a Co-Op store in August.

Then, a masked gunman carrying a black gun made off with money from the store on St Vigor Way after threatening a shop worker.

Since then, a further burglary has taken place as well as attempts on properties in Church Lane and Valley Close respectively.

Writing to Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner Michael Lane, Cllr Izard, who is also a city councillor for Colden Common and Twyford, said: “We appreciate that Sgt. Stuart Gilmour has worked hard to ensure the safety of this village, and that a number of police officers were drafted in from other areas for a time, but this situation is completely unacceptable.

“After the first spate they stopped for a few weeks. However, over the last 10 days or so, they seem to have started again.

“Feelings are now running very high in the village. We recognise our individual responsibilities to protect our properties as best we can, and to keep a watchful eye on our surroundings.“It does seem though, from some of the communications we have had from Hampshire Constabulary and the Neighbourhood Services Officer from Winchester City Council that there is a perception that it is up to us to look after ourselves. But we cannot do the job of the police for them.“We also understand that police resources are limited but feel that the time has come to make representations for increased funding. “Lack of resources must not become an excuse for ineffective policing.”

Cllr Sue Cook, city councillor for Colden Common and Twyford, said: “ It is very frustrating for residents, but there is only a certain amount of money.

“Neighbourhood Watch has been reinvigorated which residents have benefited from.

“We would love to have someone a bit more local, as everything seems to come from another area, but Winchester is fully stretched.

“I would say to residents please be vigilant and if you see something, mention it. Don’t post about going away on social media.”

Sgt Stuart Gilmour said: “ I would not want to draw any conclusion around whether these two recent incidents are linked to the series that so adversely affected the village during April and May.

“Investigation into these two incidents and the earlier series is still ongoing.

“A line of enquiry that Hampshire Police have been pursuing has been that the Colden Common burglary series was being organised by a crime group from outside of the county.

“We have seen a total of sixteen dwelling burglaries and an attempt in the calendar year to date, less than some figures that I have seen quoted but still a really significant increase compared to the one or two burglaries that we may experience most years. I am aware that concern exists around how and where routine police patrols are deployed and the lack of a visible deterrent through routine police patrols.”

“The response team at Fareham and Gosport hold primary responsibility for patrolling Colden Common. Geographical location clearly is a barrier to regular patrols and this remains an issue that I continue to challenge my district Chief Inspector on.”