Hampshire Police warn of hare coursing increase
Officers say they 'anticipate seeing further incidents' in the coming weeks
Hampshire Police say they're dealing with a spate of hare coursing, after numerous incidents in the last week.
They've been in the north of the county so far, but officers say they're expecting more in other parts of the county, which could also spread across the border into Wiltshire.
Suspicious vehicles, suspected to be involved in coursing, have been spotted on farmland - with a farmer threatened with a catapult in one case.
Police say hare coursing not only involves the poaching of animals, but often sees significant damage caused to the farmland by individuals and vehicles trespassing, in addition to intimidation and threats of violence towards landowners.
We're asked to report any incidents if it's safe to do so, with photos or video/Dash Cam footage where possible.
Never approach the individuals involved in this type of crime – your safety is priority.
When calling the police, provide as much information as you can, such as:
• Are the suspect/s alone or in a group?
• Do they have equipment with them?
• Do they have dogs or firearms with them?
• What type of dogs?
• Where are they going - direction of travel if leaving/just left?
• Where have they been?
• What do they look like?
• How many vehicles, what are the number plates and vehicle models or any distinctive damage/marks visible?
• Any damage caused to fence/gates/fields?
• Name of landowner
• Has there been any intimidation of the landowner, Farmer, Agent?
Hampshire Police has said: "The more information we have from you the better placed we are to target our resources and patrols to disrupt those involved in rural crime."