HARE killing poachers were in the spotlights last weekend after the police were tipped off to large-scale poaching across Hampshire.

Although the Winchester-based Neighbourhood Enforcement Team (NET) was mobilised to conduct high visibility patrols around the county, a Stockbridge farm was broken into and dead hares were found in the area. Gates and padlocks were damaged by the intruders.

As well as Stockbridge, the police maintained a visible presence throughout the north of the county to intercept any activity and respond to calls from rural communities.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary received intelligence about potential large-scale hare coursing expected to be carried out throughout the county on Sunday, November 17.

Inspector Cath MacDonald said: “We recognise the level of fear and concern that is rippling through rural communities at the moment. This is in part due to the time of year, as this is when coursers, poachers and other rural criminals are particularly active, but also in light of recent incidents including a serious assault in the Faccombe area last month.

"Our plea is to keep reporting information to us. Any intelligence you may have, sightings of suspicious vehicles or people, or any crimes that have been affecting you. Please tell us everything so we can develop the bigger intelligence picture and take action.

“Last night’s police activity is just one example of where we can mobilise the right units in the right areas quickly in direct response to what our intelligence picture is telling us.

“Other police units such as neighbourhood police teams and our specialist Country Watch team have conducted a number of proactive operations and patrols this season, which have seen suspected rural criminals disrupted and pursued out of the area.

"This will continue – and the more we know, the better placed we are to deal with these criminals effectively."