Suspected poachers arrested in Amesbury
Police detain six men from the Hampshire and Surrey areas
Last updated 3rd Oct 2021
It all began when Wiltshire Police were called to suspicious activity in the Devizes area on Saturday night (2 Oct 2021).
At around 10.30pm they received a call about a dodgy vehicle on farmland in Conock. That was followed by further separate reports about two burning vehicles on land close to Market Lavington.
Officers found the two burnt-out vehicles, but despite searches, couldn't find the criminals.
CROOKS SPOTTED BY OFF-DUTY OFFICER
However, an off-duty police officer did see two further vehicles leaving the area at speed and one of these, a green Jeep, was then spotted a few hours later by police in Amesbury.
They stopped the Jeep at Solstice Park and searched the vehicle. Officers seized the remains of a hare or rabbit, two catapults, a ball bearing, a can of fuel and a large hunting lamp.
SIX ARRESTS MADE
Police say six men, aged between 28 and 41, from the Hampshire and Surrey areas, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and trespassing on land at night to take/destroy rabbits. They were taken into custody at Melksham Police Station.
Inspector Pete Sparrow said:
“This was fantastic work by various officers, including an off-duty officer, working across the Devizes and Amesbury areas We know our rural communities have concerns about poaching and hare coursing, and we hope these arrests prove that we are taking action and will do all we can to apprehend and arrest offenders."
“We would urge anyone who sees suspicious activity on farmland to contact us, via 999 if they believe a crime is in progress, so we can respond swiftly.”