New high-harm policing team in New Forest to target violent and repeat offenders

VIOLENT and repeat offenders are in the sights of a new policing team launched to combat areas crime hotspots in the New Forest.

Increased high-visibility and plain clothes patrols will make up some of the work carried out by the New Forest "high harm" team, which started on Monday following similar schemes elsewhere in Hampshire.

Sgt Andy Gwyer is initially leading a squad of four police officers, although there are hopes to expand in the future.

The team aims to tackle offenders causing the highest harm in the district, including violent and repeat offenders and those committing serious crime.

District commander Ch. Insp. Nick Marsden said: “I’m pleased we have been able to set up this team and make sure the New Forest remains a safe place for our residents and visitors.

“High harm teams have enjoyed great success in other districts across the county, and I am keen to see this replicated here.

“We are always looking at how we can best serve the public and so the work of this team will be adaptable and driven by intelligence and crime trends we are seeing in the area – these aims will be achieved with a mixture of high-visibility patrols and plain clothes operations in hot-spot areas.”

The team will focus on policing priorities across the district, while supporting local neighbourhood objectives.

There will be proactive patrols to prevent crime and catch offenders, and partnership work with other forces to cut cross-border criminality.

Among the other aims is cracking down on drug-related harm.

This includes targeting county lines in which offenders deal drugs using mobile phones, usually from large cities to towns and rural areas.

Vulnerable young children are often used as line-holders and runners to deliver drugs.

The hidden impact of drug-related crimes within local communities will also be tackled through regular support and protection visits to vulnerable people at risk of exploitation by dealers.

The team will be based at Lyndhurst police station and cover the whole of the New Forest.

People are urged to continue reporting crimes or suspicious activity online at hampshire.police.uk or by calling 101, but 999 should be dialled immediately if a crime is in progress.