Increased rural patrols following surge in hare coursing

As covered in the November issue of Land and Business, hare coursing has been a significant issue across the region over the last 12 months, notably in Wiltshire. Following a surge in hare coursing activity, the force has increased patrols and community engagement.

Between September 2024 and August 2025, hare coursing and poaching offences rose by 21.8%. But the force has also arrested more people connected with this crime. Since January 2025, 30 individuals have been arrested for hare coursing or poaching. The courts have convicted seven offenders, issuing fines totalling £2,892 under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. At the time of writing, a further four cases were pending prosecution, sending a clear message: rural crime will not be tolerated.

During a recent event in the county to raise awareness of the problems rural communities are facing, farmers described the impact of rural crime on their financial and emotional wellbeing.

One farmer said they had been targeted in the Pewsey Vale area around ten times in just one month. He said: "The impact on the farm is the trashing of crops and the cost of the added security. We've spent an absolute fortune on ditching and fencing, extra CCTV and lighting. Every single night, I go out and drive the perimeter of the farm to make sure gates are still locked and fences are still up and there are no lights where there shouldn't be lights. There's a lot of people who don't know what's going on and I'd like to ask anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it. If you see lights on in a field at night and they're not on a tractor, particularly if it's going at speed or you see guys getting out of a 4x4 with dogs, call the local farmer or call the police. The police are trying their hardest to catch these people, but the crime is committed so quickly. We need as much information to support them as we can."

Inspector Andy Lemon is the tactical lead for rural crime. He said: “We’re mobilising neighbourhood officers, drones, CID and armed units to hit offenders at every stage.

"This sends a clear message that rural crime is treated with the seriousness it deserves, and we will not tolerate incursions on our countryside. But this is not something the police can tackle alone. We need residents to report suspicious activity as soon as they see it – either online, by calling 101, or in an emergency by dialling 999. This information helps build intelligence, target offenders and keep our countryside safe.”

The CLA prides itself on supporting farmers, landowners and rural businesses ensuring that they have a say on a variety of important rural matters. Regular communication with outside organisations such as police forces ensures that their concerns continue to be heard. If you have experienced rural crime and feel that you need advice, please call the CLA South West office on 01249 599059.