Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has launched a pioneering new initiative to stop organised gangs from targeting farms and outbuildings in Fleet and across Hampshire. The campaign, titled ‘Keeping EyesOn Rural Crime,’ centres on the release of a first-of-its-kind AI-supported app called EyesOn. Launched on 26 February 2026, the app aims to give rural residents better protection through a digital reporting solution that allows users to share images, CCTV footage, and precise “what3words” locations directly with the police.
The launch of the app follows the recruitment of additional local bobbies, who were assigned to rural areas including the Hart district in January 2026. These officers are working to increase police visibility and community engagement in countryside neighbourhoods, ensuring that residents in even the most isolated areas feel supported by a named and contactable officer. Commissioner Jones announced the new technology alongside police leaders at a Rural Crime Event at Sparsholt College, where they met with local farmers to discuss the impact of criminals using major road networks to steal high-value machinery.
Residents are being encouraged to sign up for Hampshire Alert and download the new EyesOn app to report incidents more effectively. The system is designed to streamline how information is sent to officers in a police-compliant format, helping the Rural Crime Task Force to identify trends and track criminal networks. By creating a stronger network of real-time information, the police aim to disrupt gangs before they can carry out thefts, moving toward a deterrent-heavy model for rural security.
The crackdown comes just days after officers made an arrest for catapult offences in the northern part of Hart on 25 February 2026. By combining more officers in rural spots with the warning “We’ve got our EyesOn you,” the police hope to make Hampshire a hostile environment for organised crime. This proactive approach marks a significant shift toward using modern technology and increased visibility to protect the livelihoods of local agricultural workers.
