RESIDENTS are being reminded to report crimes by phone after multiple incidents reported on social media went under the radar.

Police in Hedge End say there has been a 'high-proportion' of incidents being reported on social media in the Hamble area recently.

These have been reported using local neighbourhood community Facebook groups or the Nextdoor app but then haven't transpired into reports directly to Hampshire Constabulary.

Now residents are being urged to phone if they need to report a crime.

A police spokesperson said: "We would like to take this time to remind local residents that we are not in a position to take reports of crime on social media, nor are our local neighbourhood policing team able to review local neighbourhood forums.

"As such, we would urge residents not to post about incidents on social media, but to immediately phone the police if they see any suspicious activity near their property.

"Please phone 999 during an emergency, such as: A danger to life, a crime is happening now (or has just happened), having immediate concerns for safety, a dangerous incident on the motorway.

"Alternatively, we would ask you to report online or call 101 to alert police to any crimes that are not currently in progress or have not just happened."