Anti poachers concrete blocks installed at farms

Anti poacher concrete blocks have been installed at farms following a rise in the number of hare coursing incidents. Since September, Wiltshire Police have made 11 arrests, seized eleven vehicles, and issued nine dispersal orders in relation to rural crime.

As a way to combat rural crime, the force has received a seven poacher blocks and a drone from the Hare Preservation Trust in a bid to prevent hare coursing from taking place. Poacher blocks cause no disruption to farmers but prevent regular cars and 4x4 vehicles from gaining access to land, preventing hare coursing from taking place.

Wiltshire Police said it will loan the poacher blocks on a short-term basis to farmers across the county who have been hit the most by hare coursers illegally accessing their land.

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One farmer who has taken the blocks on loan, said: “We have had trouble with hare coursers in the past, who have all used this gateway to access the farm. There is now no other entrance for hare coursers to gain access to the farm so hopefully the poacher block will deter hare coursers from returning. Poacher blocks are a great tool, and I am hopeful it will put a stop to hare coursing on my land.”

Chief Inspector James Brain, the Tactical Lead for Rural Crime at Wiltshire Police, said: "Tackling hare coursing and poaching is one of the Chief Constable’s priorities for rural crime, and officers across the Force remain absolutely committed to tackling hare coursing and poaching.

"We are grateful to the Hare Preservation Trust for donating such valuable resources for us to be able to loan to our farming communities. We are hopeful that the seven new poacher blocks will support the most vulnerable victims of hare coursing to protect their property and prevent further destruction by hare coursers."

Hare coursing is an illegal activity under the 2004 Hunting Act, whereby individuals use dogs such as lurchers to chase hares over open land. Often, gambling is involved, and individuals bet on aspects including the winning dog and the duration of the chase.

While this causes significant distress to hares, there is extensive negative repercussions for local farming communities. Hare coursers often cause significant damage to crops, land, field entrances, boundary fencing, and farmers’ property, posing the risk of substantial financial losses.

Chief inspector Brain added: "Our teams have made significant progress in disrupting hare coursing incidents and bringing offenders to justice. Since September, Wiltshire Police have made eleven arrests and seized eleven vehicles. In addition, Section 35 dispersal orders have been issued to nine individuals, which bans those individuals from being in a specific location for up to 48 hours.”

A spokesperson from the Hare Preservation Trust said: “Rural crime, and particularly hare coursing, is an ever-increasing issue countrywide. The Hare Preservation Trust (HPT) works for the preservation and welfare of the hare, and we know that if farmers feel that their land is threatened by coursers and lampers, they will go out and rid their fields of hares themselves. This is not good for the biodiversity of the land or the hare, arguably the UK's most iconic mammal.

"The poacher blocks seem to work extremely well and are designed to be moved by tractors and can therefore be placed where needed. The drone will enable the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team to see exactly where the problem is and pinpoint their response, all to the benefit of wildlife."

If you notice concerning or suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4x4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland, please report this by calling 999. To keep up-to-date with the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team, follow updates on the dedicated Facebook page.