SHOPLIFTERS have turned a quiet road on the edge of Petersfield into the town’s most “crime-ridden” area.

With eight offences altogether in September, Dukes Close is the number one street on the www.police.uk crime map of Petersfield.

It’s placing is down to its proximity to the A272 Winchester Road services with areas around The Square and town centre also high on the list because of theft and public order offences.

Some 97 crimes were recorded during the month with violent or sexual offences accounting for 40 of the figure. The next most commonly reported crime was anti-social behaviour (14) with ten burglaries also being investigated.

Half of the crimes reported are still under investigation while the police also carried out stop-searches on individuals on Rushes Road and next to Heath Pond.

Some 38 crimes were reported in the Liss area with three offences apiece taking place at Beechwood Court and Inwood Road during the period, while 34 were recorded in the Butser patch. Around a third involved public order offences while there was also a spate of five burglaries around Rowlands Castle.