THOUSANDS of crimes including burglaries, car thefts and shoplifting in Hampshire are going unsolved, new analysis shows.

MPs have revealed their shock at the figures, which show police close investigations without identifying a suspect in 80 per cent of household burglaries, 75 per cent of reported vehicle thefts, and more than 50 per cent of shoplifting cases.

Across the three offences, around 14,000 investigations in Hampshire were shut with no suspected culprit in the frame, the Press Association found.

The revelations prompted warnings that victims could be put off reporting offences, while criminals are given a “green light to reoffend”.

Police chiefs say increased demand and reduced officer numbers mean they have to prioritise cases where there is a realistic chance of prosecution.

But Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East, wants to know the extent to which crimes are being investigated.

He said: “The question is – are investigations being closed down through lack of evidence or are the crimes not being investigated at all? One scenario is understandable, the other is unacceptable.”

The figures, extracted from Home Office crime outcomes data, cover the 12 months to March 2018.

They show that out of the 6,654 household burglary cases opened over that period by Hampshire Police, 80% were categorised as “investigation complete - no suspect identified”.

This is used when a reported crime has been investigated “as far as reasonably possible” and the case is closed pending further investigative opportunities.

Hampshire Constabulary declined to comment on the story, instead directing the Daily Echo to the NPCC.

Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs committee, said: “Too many investigations are closing without suspects being identified and we are hearing increasing reports of the police being too overstretched to investigate.

“Police forces are under immense pressure with rising serious and violent crime and changing patterns of crime alongside cuts in the numbers of officers and PCSOs.

“Failing to identify suspects gives criminals a green light to reoffend.”

Of the 2,250 vehicle thefts recorded in Hampshire, 77 per cent ended up with no suspect being identified, while in the 13,770 shoplifting cases, 7,057 of them were closed with the same outcome. The police charged 87 suspects with car theft, and 2,901 for shoplifting.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We expect the police to take all reports of crime seriously, to investigate and to bring the offenders to court so that they can receive appropriate punishment.

“However we recognise that crime is changing and police demand is becoming increasingly complex. That is why we have provided a strong and comprehensive £13 billion funding settlement to ensure the police have the resources they need to...work.”