West Mercia Police launch Operation Snare against hare coursing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 06:09 · Archive

West Mercia Police have launched Operation Snare to crack down on illegal hare coursing in Worcestershire during National Rural Crime Action Week. The operation will involve officers and staff from rural crime teams working with the farming community and partner agencies including the NFU and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

Hare coursing requires large, open spaces and is most common on agricultural land shortly after crops have been harvested, but also occurs on recently sown fields and grassland. Harvests in the region have been earlier than normal this year due to heatwaves.

Police describe hare coursing as a serious crime often associated with organised criminality. A West Mercia Police spokesperson said it 'causes severe animal welfare harm and has a wider impact on rural communities through trespass, damage to land and anti-social behaviour'. The operation aims to step up efforts to target the activity now that harvests have taken place.

How it is being reported

• Police launch crackdown on illegal hare coursing in rural WorcestershireWest Mercia Police launch Operation Snare in Worcestershire to tackle hare coursing and organised crime in rural areas of the countyWorcester News · 24 Oct, 05:00
• Police launch crackdown on illegal hare coursing in rural WorcestershireWest Mercia Police launch Operation Snare in Worcestershire to tackle hare coursing and organised crime in rural areas of the countyMalvern Gazette · 24 Oct, 05:00

In this story: West Mercia Police · Worcestershire · NFU · Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

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