Warning over rise in illegal hare coursing

People are being encouraged to report any hare coursing or suspicious activity they see

Police have issued a warning over a rise in hound dogs being used to chase and captures hares around Warwickshire.

Over the last two months, Warwickshire Police have dealt with several suspects and seized four dogs, as well as two vehicles, after they responded to 28 incidents of hare coursing in the region.

The activity involves people driving vehicles over land to record or livestream sighthounds chasing the hares, which can cause damage to fields and crops and also scare people in the local communities.

The force added that anyone who sees hare coursing taking place should get in touch with them.

Officers now have "increased powers to arrest, stop and search and seize dogs/vehicles relating to the offence" after the government brought in new legislation in 2022, it said.

The legislation covers trespassing trespassing with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare, and being equipped to trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare.

Vehicle checks are also taking place by officers as part of the Operation Galileos project to tackle the issue.