Police investigating a spate of vehicle thefts and a moped gang which have been terrorising Liphook and surrounding areas have arrested a 13-year-old boy from Bordon. 

The vehicle thefts, mainly mopeds, have been linked by police to a wider spate of anti-social behaviour, break-ins and criminal damage which have been reported in Liphook and other nearby villages. 

Residents from Liphook and Haslemere, all the way to Bordon, Liss Forest, Rake and Greatham, have taken to social media to warn their neighbours of a moped gang wearing balaclavas. 

Police confirmed on Monday they believe all the incidents are the work of one group of local young people who have been seen riding mopeds, often carrying a passenger.

They are asking parents and carers to make sure they know where their children are, and what they are doing in the evening.

Sarah Hanney owns Liphook Art and Framing which was broken into early last Monday morning.

 Sarah’s CCTV captured the break-in at 3.49am and when she arrived at the shop later that morning she found her door panels smashed. 

She says she wants those responsible to “pay for the damage they have caused”. While nothing was stolen from Sarah’s shop – she doesn’t keep cash on the premises – she says it will cost her £3,000 to replace the smashed doors. 

Sarah said she believes the real target was Liphook Fish and Chips. They share the same building and it was broken into the same morning and had some cash stolen. 

Sarah says her shop has been broken into four times in 12  years. 

Sarah and other residents took to social media to warn each other of the moped gang and the spate of break-ins. 

The incidents are believed to be linked to break-ins at Lee’s Garden in Midhurst Road Wednesday, August 2, and a salon in Haslemere Road.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of a rise in vehicle thefts, namely mopeds in recent weeks. We want to reassure the community that our officers are working hard to find those responsible, with regular high-visibility patrols being conducted.”

There may have been a breakthrough as the aforementioned teen was arrested as part of the investigation into the spate.

The teen, who remains in custody at the time of writing, was arrested on suspicion of burglary following a break-in at Hewshott Lane in Liphook sometime between 5pm last Monday and 6.50am the following morning.

If you see anything suspicious in the Bordon or Liphook area that may be related to the group of young people, call 101 quoting 44230312044.

Crime prevention advice on how to keep vehicles safe can be found here.