A SPATE of hare coursing incidents in Fairford has sparked a police alert. 

Hare coursing is the deliberate hunting of hares with dogs, which chase the hare by sight, not by scent.

The practice has been banned in the UK since 2004 and is a criminal offence. 

Fairford and Lechlade neighbourhood policing team have issued an alert after multiple incidents in Fairford have been reported.

The team are urging residents to ring 999 if they see any incidents. 

PSCO Zaheer Bulbul in a police community alert said: “There has been a number of hare coursing incidents in the Fairford area. 

“Offenders usually target fields by damaging the pad locks or lifting the gates off their hinges. 

“Vehicles then drive on to the fields causing damage to crops. 

“If you see this type of crime taking place then please report immediately on 999.”

You can report non-emergency rural crime here but in an emergency always call 999.