Wiltshire Police stepping up efforts to tackle rising rural crime incidents
A coordinated approach to combat rural crime in Wiltshire aims to protect farmers and communities
Wiltshire Police is ramping up efforts to combat rural crime, amid a rise in incidents.
Between September 2024 and August 2025, the Force recorded a 21% rise in hare coursing and poaching activity.
These illegal activities, which include using dogs to chase and kill hares, remains a significant concern for local communities, particularly farmers who are often the hardest hit, as they often cause significant damage to crops and infrastructure.
A 500% rise in arrests has been reported in the last year, with 22 made, with 12 prosecutions for poaching offences.
Wiltshire Police’s approach to combating rural crime
Operational and tactical lead for Rural Crime, Inspector Andy Lemon, outlined the steps they are taking to address the rise in hare coursing, telling us it's a comprehensive force-wide strategy.
He said they've been upskilling the force control room and contact centre in rural crime legislation, deploying response units equipped with support from dog handlers, drone teams, neighbourhood policing groups, and even a helicopter stationed at Filton.
Community collaboration is also playing a pivotal role, with local farmers being actively involved in operational efforts.
Farmers are working closely with police to report suspicious activity and assist officers as local spotters.
In addition, regular community engagement events have been held with the support of the NFU, helping to build trust and confidence among rural stakeholders.
The impact of hare coursing
While hare coursing may appear to be targeted only at wildlife, Inspector Lemon told us the wider impact on farmers and communities is significant.
The damage caused by this illegal activity extends to farmland, fences, gates, and crops, and even causes road traffic collisions when livestock escape.
Insp. Lemon explained how one such incident recently resulted in three cattle sustaining injuries that required them to be put down, causing immense emotional and financial strain for the farmer involved.
The financial burden of repairing damaged property and managing land can run into thousands of pounds, adding further stress for those affected.
Additionally, the crime often leads to other issues such as theft, antisocial driving, and threats of violence.
Insp. Lemon said: “When farmers have challenged the individuals involved, they’ve threatened to run their vehicles, brandished weapons, and threatened to burn down their houses. Nobody should be subjected to that sort of hostility.”
Reporting rural crime
Wiltshire Police is urging members of the public to report any suspected criminal activity in rural areas to help combat hare coursing and other offences.
Advice to the public is to call 999 if an incident is in progress and to provide as much detail as possible, including location, vehicle registrations, descriptions of individuals, and any items such as dogs that might be involved.
For incidents noticed after the fact, Insp. Lemon recommends calling 101. He also urged people not to confront potentially dangerous individuals, explaining that offenders have been known to carry weapons and make violent threats.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to offenders,” he said. “If they are found by the police, they will be arrested, prosecuted, and may face additional community behaviour orders post-conviction, including confiscation of vehicles, equipment, cash, and dogs involved in the offence.”
He also highlighted the lasting negative impacts these incidents have on the mental health of farmers. “The financial and emotional strain on farmers and rural communities is something we must never underestimate. That’s why continuing to tackle this issue is incredibly important.”