A SPATE of burglaries on businesses in a New Forest town is being treated as a “priority”, police have said.

It comes after a number of a businesses were targeted across the New Milton area.

Police said the issue had caused “concern” in the local community and there will be a continued police presence in the area.

A spokesperson for Lymington and New Milton Cops said: “Teams in the New Forest have been undertaking proactive patrols across New Milton following reports of a number of business burglaries in the area.

“We appreciate that this has caused concern to the local community, not least to business owners.

"Please be reassured that these incidents have been raised as a priority and we will continue to have a police presence in the areas impacted by this type of crime.

“To accompany these patrols, we will be carrying out stop and searches where necessary and making arrests, and dealing with other criminality that is identified in this area.”

Police said during a patrol on Thursday, October 6, a man was stopped and arrested in the carer of the M&S car park in Spencer Road.

A 38-year-old man has been charged with possession of heroin and is due to appear in court on November 1.

The spokesperson added: “We continue to encourage anyone in the community who has concerns or information about crime and suspicious behaviour in the New Milton area to please keep reporting this to us.

“This information will be shared across departments in the force, and will help us narrow our focus for future patrols.”