TOWN residents have expressed concerns about what they believe is an increase in crime, which one even described as “terrifying”.

Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous reports of thefts from vehicles and, on Friday, October 12, the Bordon Working Men’s Club, in Alma Road, was burgled.

Police were called at around 2am after the club was broken into and cash was taken from fruit machines inside.

Two 17-year-old Bordon men were arrested on suspicion of burglary. They have been released from custody but remain under investigation.

In the early hours of the previous day, tools were stolen from a Ford Transit van in Alpine Road. This report was just one of many over the past months, with Coniston Road, Horseshoe Crescent and other Bordon streets hit by thieves.

While upsetting for the victims, taken alone these incidents are relatively minor. But when they come in the wake of ongoing ram-raids, frequent reports of antisocial behaviour, reports of empty homes at St Lucia Park being used as drug dens and vandalism, the public perception paints a very different picture.

George Drago? Afemei shared CCTV footage on social media of thieves stealing £2,500 of Makita cordless and power tools from his van in Alpine Road. He asked fellow social-media users to “name and shame” them.

This was the first time he had been a victim of this kind of crime and he alleged Hampshire Constabulary “doesn’t look to be interested”.

But police say that officers take a proactive role in reducing crime, despite the fact many residents feel the days of seeing bobbies on the beat are long gone.

Tamsin Pearson witnessed the aftermath of last week’s club burglary, and spoke of the three men seen fleeing the scene. From her window she heard police leaving in pursuit of the perpetrators. “What is going on?” she wondered. “We recently moved to the area and love living here, but the increase in crime lately is terrifying.”

Responding on social media, Frankie Gallagher agreed things appear to have got worse. “We too loved living here and moved in almost 10 years ago,” he said. “Sadly, we have watched it deteriorate with at least two break-ins reported every week.

“We have lost the bank, the cash points and the police in a burgeoning town that needs all of these things.”

The blame is often pinned on a lack of police presence, compounded by the closures of Whitehill and Alton police stations, meaning Aldershot is now the nearest police station.

Although the Longmoor Neighbourhood Policing Team has a base in Bordon, the town does not have a traditional reception area where residents can report crime face to face.

Petty incidents, such as the repeated smashing of Whitehill Town Council’s “vandal-proof” glass bus shelters, are thought to be avoidable if only the town had more officers patrolling.

Town, county and district councillor Adam Carew said: “At the latest community policing meeting, I raised a number of urgent issues with the police as county councillor.

“Although some of this is strictly confidential, it included ongoing antisocial behaviour; the disgusting smearing of dog excrement all over the children’s play area in Lindford; repeated vandalism of bus shelters; ongoing ram-raids of cashpoints in the area, and antisocial behaviour at the empty Army homes at St Lucia Park. There was also increasing concern about abusive behaviour and bullying on social media.

“The police still operate out of our old Eco-station (former fire station) and are in the process or replacing Sgt Stuart Tripp, who has recently retired. They listened carefully to local councillors’ concerns.

“The police are keen to raise awareness about car crime in the area which appears to be largely opportunist in nature.

“I have asked the police put a campaign online and in our local papers. Advice to residents is to always ensure cars are locked and that no valuables are left on display or kept in vehicles overnight.

“Having supported them in the past, I was very concerned to hear about the recent break-in at the Bordon Working Men’s Club.

“I am pleased to hear the police may have already apprehended the culprits and I would like to use the Bordon Herald to extend an offer of my councillor’s grant money towards replacing anything stolen or improving their security.”

Hampshire police’s advice includes parking in a secure area; removing valuables; leaving nothing visible; fitting an alarm; applying security marking to equipment; locking doors and, when visiting businesses, parking close to the entrance and preferably in the view of CCTV.

* Anyone with information about the Working Men’s Club break-in or the Alpine Road thefts should call police on 101.