Multiple countryside properties across Bracknell Forest and the Royal Borough are being targeted by criminal gangs according to Thames Valley Police.

This comes as neighbourhood and community teams have seen a 15 percent rise in burglaries across the Ascot and Sunninghill area.

With many multi-million pound properties backing onto areas of the Crown Estate, the police force has deployed a series of new task forces to catch criminals using less conventional routes to access properties.

Michelle Race, the neighbourhood officer for Ascot and the Crown Estate attended the annual parish meeting this month where she outlined the various crime prevention methods that will be undertaken across the area.

This includes a new Moto-Cross team which is set to monitor areas of the Crown Estate and fields where criminals may seek to escape after their crimes.

She said: “To combat crime over the next year we are trying multiple approaches across the different forces. There are now three off-road bikes on the moto-cross team which will target hard to reach areas throughout the country.

“I have rallied for two new ASMR cameras in Ascot which are being funded by the parish councils and Thames Valley Police to combat crime in the area.

“It’s all about taking a multi-agency approach, especially when we are dealing with crimes that we have seen a huge increase in.”

In a recent survey, Ascot has been named the most expensive places to live in Berkshire with the average house price over £900,000.

One Ascot resident said: “Many people who live in Ascot especially are only here part of the year because it is either their second or third home. This leaves it empty some of the time which makes it easier for a burglar to get in without anyone noticing.”

On March 26, Bracknell & Wokingham, Windsor & Maidenhead and Ascot reported that they had completed two days of operations in relation to these burglaries in Ascot.

Three vehicles were seized and one person was arrested as part of the operation.

Thames Valley Police said: “The teams were supported by their colleagues from Armed Response, Roads Policing, Dogs and British Transport Police. Thank you to British transport Police for bringing their drone along!”