A new app designed to help farmers, gamekeepers and rural businesses report crime and suspicious activity across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has attracted 500 members and received 188 crime reports since launching earlier this year.
The EyesOn app was introduced by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in March 2026, providing a dedicated platform for those working in rural and wildlife environments to communicate directly with police.
Since its launch, the app has been used to publish 215 news articles and alerts, including rural policing updates, crime prevention advice and information from community partners.
The 188 crime reports submitted through EyesOn have been sent directly to police contact management teams for assessment and allocation.
Unlike traditional reporting methods, the app guides users through a process specifically designed for rural incidents, ensuring officers receive relevant information from the outset.
It also stores members’ personal details, removing the need to repeatedly enter the same information when submitting reports.
Gareth Lewis, from UKPAC, which supported the development of EyesOn, has said:
“Reaching 500 members is a fantastic milestone and a credit to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s rural policing team, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the rural communities who have embraced EyesOn.
Article continues below this advertisement “As the first police force in the UK to adopt the app, Hampshire has shown leadership in making rural policing more accessible. The 188 crime reports submitted through EyesOn demonstrate its practical value, helping people report incidents through a process designed around rural crime and giving police the details they need from the outset.
“Rural communities deserve to feel heard, supported and able to reach their police force wherever they live or work.”
The success of the scheme has prompted ambitions to expand EyesOn Rural to other parts of the country, with discussions already underway with several police forces and support from the National Farmers’ Union.
Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force Inspector Cath MacDonald has said:
“EyesOn continues to be a fantastic platform which brings our rural communities together with police in one accessible and easy to manage space.
“This has been an effective development and makes reporting rural crime to police easier and quicker for members. EyesOn is making a real difference to how we build intelligence and engage with our communities, whilst ensuring rural policing is more accessible to the public.”
The app has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, who has continued to promote its use among rural communities.
Donna Jones has said:
“Reporting and policing rural crime has not always been easy, which is why it is pleasing to see so many people joining our Hampshire EyesOn Community.
“The processing of crime reports by the digital app allows for more effective frontline policing in our countryside. Since I launched the app earlier this year, EyesOn has already helped to make rural areas across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer places to live and work.”
Police are now encouraging more people with rural and wildlife business interests to register, including farmers, gamekeepers, estate owners and rural workers.
The free app also includes a private community for approved rural businesses, workers and partner agencies.
Those wishing to join can download EyesOn through their mobile app store or visit www.eyesonapp.com/download/.
