Police up patrols after incidents in Wiltshire fields

Wiltshire Police’s Rural Crime Team has been carrying out high-visibility patrols in areas recently targeted by hare coursers, as well as providing crime prevention advice and carrying out checks on vehicles.

The force said the harvest has “near enough drawn to a close” for most arable farms, meaning fields are once again more accessible to vehicles involved in illegal hare coursing.

Hare coursing involves the pursuit of hares by dogs and is illegal.

Police are urging people to report any active incidents involving dogs by calling 999.

Incidents can also be reported online after they have taken place.

Members of the public are being warned not to approach people involved in hare coursing.

However, police have asked witnesses to gather information where it is safe to do so, including the location, type and colour of vehicles, the number of people involved, whether dogs are present and whether any weapons have been seen.

Photos or video footage can also help with prosecutions, but police have stressed that people should not put themselves at risk to obtain evidence.

Residents are also being asked to report suspicious activity which could be linked to hare coursing.

This could include 4x4 vehicles being driven at speed across open land, lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps or groups of people gathering on farmland.

Police said reports can be made by calling 999 where there is an active incident, or through the force's online reporting service or by calling 101.

Anyone reporting suspected hare coursing is asked to mention Op Galileo.

The Rural Crime Team said its increased patrols are aimed at preventing rural crime and providing reassurance in areas which have previously been targeted.