Hare coursing - the illegal hunting of hares with dogs - is part of a growing poaching problem in Wiltshire, say farmers and the National Farmers’ Union - and police are determined to crack down on criminals.

Poaching can take many forms - from illegal hare coursing with dogs, shooting deer at night to using catapults to take pheasants.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

The NFU has highlighted the issue of hare coursing, which the organisation says is a considerable nuisance to farmers in the county as it can cause a lot of damage to property and crops, and violence and intimidation is often involved.

Police say that there has been a dramatic increase in arrests thanks to the launch of Operation Artemis, which was launched last year to tackle poaching.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

In December officers caught a gang of poachers in the county and seized dogs, phones and vehicles under legislation in the 2004 Hunting Act.

One farmer called Chris said that there needed to be stronger fines and action taken against coursers when caught.

“Taking their dogs and vehicles was a good move,” he said, “as the dogs can be worth thousands of pounds as large amounts of money are bet on hare coursing events.”

He said: “They come in the early morning or late evening when nobody is about. They cut the fences, break the gates and drive across the farmland, causing huge damage, leaving a trail of destruction.

“It’s not just the cost of it but also the mess. There are not enough rural police to deal with it.”

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Rural Crime Officer PC Marc Jackson said: “We take poaching seriously, and anybody found to be committing such offences here will be dealt with robustly.

“Farmers who confront poachers on their land are often faced with aggressive and threatening behaviour. This will not be tolerated in Wiltshire.”

Anyone who suspects poaching can call 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress, quoting ‘Op Artemis’.