The first poacher block has been installed in Wiltshire. Picture: Wiltshire Police

Poacher blocks being handed to Wiltshire farmers to cut hare coursing

Paul JonesNovember 28, 20240 Comment0

A NUMBER of farmers in Wiltshire have handed ‘poacher blocks’ in a bid to curb illegal hare coursing on their land.

Seven of the blocks and a drone have been donated to Wiltshire Police by the Hare Preservation Trust (HPT), to stop hare coursing, and support investigations.

Officers are now handing the blocks to farmers on a short-term basis who have been hit the most by hare coursers illegally accessing their land.

The first recipient installed one of the devices today (November 28).

The farmer, who wished to remain anonymous, 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.”

The concrete blocks are designed to be stored in gateways and entrance access points to private land. Their shape enables farm machinery like tractors to drive over the top of them, providing minimal disruption to farmers, but prevents regular cars and 4x4s from accessing the land.

Chief Inspector James Brain, 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.”

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 11 arrests and seized 11 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.”

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.

As well as causing significant distress to hares, it has extensive negative repercussions for 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.

Poachers can damage crops, land and property, as well as animals. Picture: Wiltshire Police

A spokesperson from the Hare Preservation Trust said: “Rural crime, and particularly hare coursing, is an ever-increasing issue countrywide.

“The 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.”

They added: “To this end, the HPT has donated poacher blocks to block gateways and deter coursers. They 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.”

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, saw the installation of the first poacher block.

“The damage hare coursers cause to the environment and the physical abuse they subject anyone to who challenges them, is substantial,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the Hare Preservation Trust for their donation of these blocks for victims of rural crime and a drone for our Rural Crime Team.

“We are proud to partner with them to support their ambition to make hares and our countryside safer.”

Anyone with information regarding suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4×4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland, should call police on 999.