FOUR people have been arrested in connection with two separate incidents of alleged hare coursing in Wiltshire.

The alleged incidents were reported by members of the public who said they saw men hunting with dogs near Ludgershall in July, as well as an alleged incident of lamping in the Laverstock area.

Those arrested will appear in court at a later date, Wiltshire Police said.

Rural Crime tactical lead, Chief Inspector James Brain, said: “There is no place in Wiltshire for those who persist in hare coursing.

“Not only is it brutally cruel and illegal but often has links to other crimes.”

It comes after Chief Constable Catherine Roper, in a letter to the Wiltshire PCC, spoke of the importance of tackling crime affecting rural communities – with renewed focus on poaching and hare coursing as well as the theft of farm machinery.

“The Rural Crime Team will continue to work very closely with our Burglary Team, Local Policing Tasking Teams and rural crime partners to ensure we have regular and targeted proactive activity to tackle crime affecting rural communities,” Chf Insp Brain added.

“I would like to thank the members of the public who called 999 to report these incidents.”