Police drone catches pheasant poachers in Hampshire field
Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 15:58 · Archive
Hampshire Police used a volunteer drone to identify a man poaching pheasants with a catapult on private land in Linkenholt.
A 29-year-old man from Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest has been given a community resolution after being caught poaching pheasants on private land in Linkenholt. The incident occurred on October 7 when a group arrived in a Honda CR-V and began shooting ball bearings at wild birds using catapults. The vehicle also caused damage to the field as it drove through.
Trained civilian volunteers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's rural drone scheme launched their aircraft just before 5pm. The footage captured by the drone was used by the Test Valley Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team to identify the driver of the car.
The man admitted his involvement and was dealt with by community resolution. As part of his punishment, he must complete a victim awareness course and was issued a Community Protection Notice Warning (CPNW). If similar behaviour is identified again, he will be served a full Community Protection Notice, and breaching this would make him liable for arrest and further prosecution.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said the incident demonstrates the value of the volunteer scheme. A spokesperson stated: 'Our message to rural criminals – we have eyes in the sky, and we are watching you.'
The drone volunteer scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, was launched earlier this year to support police in tackling rural crime. Volunteers are fully trained civilian drone operators who have passed a bespoke operators' course. The scheme is funded by Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes Farming in Protected Landscapes, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
How it is being reported
- Poachers drove car through field catapulting pheasantsRural drone volunteers tracked down poachers firing catapults at pheasants in Hampshire.Southern Daily Echo · 20 Oct, 15:43
- ‘We are watching you’: police drone spots pheasant poachingHampshire Police have warned rural criminals they have “eyes in the sky” after a volunteer drone helped officers investigate pheasant poaching.Romsey Advertiser · 20 Oct, 15:29
- ‘We are watching you’: police drone spots pheasant poachingHampshire Police have warned rural criminals they have “eyes in the sky” after a volunteer drone helped officers investigate pheasant poaching.Basingstoke Gazette · 20 Oct, 15:26
- ‘We are watching you’: police drone spots pheasant poachingHampshire Police have warned rural criminals they have “eyes in the sky” after a volunteer drone helped officers investigate pheasant poaching.Andover Advertiser · 20 Oct, 15:16
In this story: Hampshire Police · Linkenholt · Dibden Purlieu · New Forest · Test Valley Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team · Donna Jones
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