Wiltshire Police deploying poacher blocks to stop hare coursing
They've been donated by the Hare Preservation Trust charity
Seven poacher blocks and a drone have been given to Wiltshire Police, to try and prevent hare coursing across the county.
The force has had them donated by the Hare Preservation Trust charity, and will loan them out to farmers in high-risk areas.
The blocks are concrete and are placed at farm entrances to prevent vehicles accessing land illegally.
The first farmer in Wiltshire to use one, who wished to remain anonymous, said:
“We have had trouble with hare coursers in the past, who have all used this gateway to access the farm. There is now no other entrance for hare coursers to gain access to the farm so hopefully the poacher block will deter hare coursers from returning. Poacher blocks are a great tool, and I am hopeful it will put a stop to hare coursing on my land.”
The shape of the blocks means tractors and farm machinery can still get over them, but regular cars and even 4x4 wouldn't be able to.
Chief Inspector James Brain, the Tactical Lead for Rural Crime at Wiltshire Police, said:
“Tackling hare coursing and poaching is one of the Chief Constable’s priorities for rural crime, and officers across the Force remain absolutely committed to tackling hare coursing and poaching. We are grateful to the Hare Preservation Trust for donating such valuable resources for us to be able to loan to our farming communities. We are hopeful that the seven new poacher blocks will support the most vulnerable victims of hare coursing to protect their property and prevent further destruction by hare coursers.”
Chief Inspector Brain continued: “Our teams have made significant progress in disrupting hare coursing incidents and bringing offenders to justice. Since September, Wiltshire Police have made eleven arrests and seized eleven vehicles. In addition, Section 35 dispersal orders have been issued to nine individuals, which bans those individuals from being in a specific location for up to 48 hours.”
Hare coursing sees individuals illegally using dogs such as lurchers to chase hares over open land.
Often, gambling is involved, and individuals bet on aspects including the winning dog and the duration of the chase.
Whilst this causes significant distress to hares, there are extensive negative repercussions for local farming communities.
Hare coursers often cause significant damage to crops, land, field entrances, boundary fencing, and farmers’ property, posing the risk of substantial financial losses.
A spokesperson from the Hare Preservation Trust said:
“Rural crime, and particularly hare coursing, is an ever-increasing issue countrywide. The Hare Preservation Trust (HPT) works for the preservation and welfare of the hare, and we know that if farmers feel that their land is threatened by coursers and lampers, they will go out and rid their fields of hares themselves. This is not good for the biodiversity of the land or the hare, arguably the UK's most iconic mammal.
“To this end, the HPT has donated poacher blocks to block gateways and deter coursers. They seem to work extremely well and are designed to be moved by tractors and can therefore be placed where needed. The drone will enable the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team to see exactly where the problem is and pinpoint their response, all to the benefit of wildlife."
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said:
“The damage hare coursers cause to the environment and the physical abuse they subject anyone to who challenges them, is substantial. I'd like to thank the Hare Preservation Trust for their donation of these blocks for victims of rural crime and a drone for our Rural Crime Team. We are proud to partner with them to support their ambition to make hares and our countryside safer."
If you notice concerning or suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4x4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland, please report this by calling 999.