Fear stops Dorset's farmers reporting poachers
"Often if criminals are stopped they will shout verbal abuse and threaten you and your families."
Last updated 22nd Jun 2021
A Dorset farmer says the farming community fear reporting poaching could lead to intimidation and even retaliation from criminals.
The farmer who wishes to remain anonymous has been speaking about his experiences to Greatest His Radio Dorset.
Warning: some may find images in this article distressing. They feature pictures of animals killed by poaching.
He says the public aren't aware of the plague of weekly break-ins, as criminals drive through fields of crops just to chase deer and hare for sport.
He told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"Farmers historically have allegedly been intimidated by criminals in rural areas.
"Often if criminals are stopped they will shout verbal abuse and threaten you and your families."
Shocking images emerged last week of tracks leading to a dead deer as poachers drove through a Dorset field just to run it down.
Unfortunately, these incidents aren't uncommon. The farmer we spoke to was able to show us large folders full of photographic evidence of poaching on his land.
Farms are able to put up preventative measures around their farms, such as sturdier gates, but they'll often find themselves targeted even harder, just to spite the farmer.
The anonymous farmer told us the public just aren't aware how common incidents like last week's are.
"Quite honestly, what goes on is quite barbaric and sadistic because these people are doing it for fun. They're not doing it to take home an animal to feed their family, that is just nonsense.
"What we need to do is break the trend of the wannabe poacher, thinking its acceptable to drive around the countryside causing damage and harm. It's effectively all of our responsibility to look after these animals and fields."
He wants us all to be aware of the signs of poaching and call the police on 999 if we spot them.
The signs can be:
High powered lights flickering in a field at night
Vehicles driving through a field at night without lights on
Vehicles driving down the public highway at night without lights on
The farmer added:
"If in doubt, if you believe a crime is in progress, then dial 999 immediately."
A Defra spokesperson said:
“Deer poaching is illegal and completely unacceptable, and this Government is committed to working closely with the police to tackle criminal activity and make rural areas safer places to live and work.
“The Government takes all wildlife crime seriously and is clear that those found guilty of deer poaching should be subject to the full force of the law.”