Police working into early hours following latest spate of vandalism in in New Milton
POLICE have extended their shifts into the evening to try to catch vandals responsible for the latest spate of damage in New Milton.
The action came amid another series of incidents in the town in which domestic and business properties were targeted, as confirmed by officers in a recent Facebook post.
Officers, who have made a number of arrests in recent weeks, conceded people were "rightly frustrated and concerned" at the ongoing crimes.
The message was later followed by an appeal for witnesses to cars and fences being spray painted around Holes Lane in Hordle between 3rd and 4th January.
Other damage reported recently has included a smashed widow at Costa Coffee in Station Road plus damage at Lloyds Bank, Betfred, Ladbrokes and the Bed Shop.
Two windows and a rear back door were also damaged at Smith and Son printers, sometime between 5pm last Friday and 7.30pm on Monday.
The latest local police message on social media said: "Please be assured that this is our main priority at the moment and upon our return from days off, we have extended our shifts to work late into the early hours of the morning to try and locate the person or people responsible.
"We have been completing patrols out on foot and in vehicles. Although you may not see us, I can assure you that we are out and about, but in order to catch whoever is responsible, we try not to make ourselves too visible.
"Any person that we see out and about in the early hours, we will speak to and if the grounds exist, carry out lawful searches of them to identify any offences related to the damage incidents."
As reported in the A&T, local Sgt Arron Wood told a recent crime meeting he needed more officers, and traders have even spoken of forming a vigilante group.
The police Facebook post continued: "We know that people are rightly frustrated and concerned by what has been going on, and we are completing enquiries among our other investigations, to identify who is responsible.
"If you have reported damage to your property over the last couple of weeks, we will endeavour to speak with you as soon as possible, so although we may not have spoken to you as of yet, please be assured my team and I will be in contact."
Officers advised anyone with exterior CCTV to keep them clean to improve images and regularly check they are working.
More regular police meetings are also planned for residents and business to raise issues with the local team.
