Rural crimes arrest in north Hampshire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of rural crime offences following a suspected poaching incident in north Hampshire.

Police say they were called at 10.23pm on Thursday 6 February to a report that quad bikes were being driven around a field containing crops and livestock between Hartley Wespall and Rotherwick.

Officers tracked the group, with the support from colleagues at the National Police Air Service, across fields towards Riseley, and later on to the Warren Heath plantation near Eversley.

A 29-year-old man from Hook was located and arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and entering land as a trespasser at night with poaching equipment. He is currently in police custody.

Officers also seized a quad bike and a catapult.

Police want to hear from people who have seen quad bikes being driven in rural areas in suspicious circumstances, such as in convoy and at night.

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