A MAJOR police operation led by officers from Salisbury and Bristol has been launched to investigate a series of rural crimes.

Operation Agile started after 32 burglaries in Downton, Tisbury, Zeals, other parts of Wiltshire, North Dorset and Somerset.

Nine cars have also been stolen.

The crimes were committed between February and the beginning of March and involved pubs and houses, in some cases when they were occupied.

Speaking on Friday, Det Insp Chris Drake of Salisbury CID, who is leading the inquiry in Wiltshire, said: "We have been working with Avon and Somerset police officers based at Frome and Bristol, and making inquiries with Dorset Police, because some offences happened in North Dorset.

"Operation Agile is an on-going investigation.

"A large amount of property has been seized and officers from Salisbury are returning to Bristol to further their investigations."

He added: "We do not want to raise the concerns of people in rural areas - this is the first time in the two years that I have been at Salisbury that we have had offences on our patch happening regularly.

"People can help by making sure their windows are shut, their premises are secure and their cars locked or in the garage."