POLICE have ramped up patrols and community engagement across the county following a worrying rise in hare coursing and rural offences.

Between September 2024 and August 2025, hare coursing and poaching incidents increased by 21.8%, prompting a force-wide response.

The council’s rural crime strategy includes Operation Ragwort, a coordinated initiative targeting gangs involved in poaching, hare coursing, theft of agricultural machinery and fly-tipping.

Since January, 30 arrests have been made for hare coursing and poaching offences – a 500% increase on last year – while courts have already convicted seven offenders, issuing fines totalling £2,892 under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act.

Inspector Andy Lemon, tactical lead for rural crime, said: “We’re mobilising neighbourhood officers, drones, CID and armed units to hit offenders at every stage.

“This sends a clear message that rural crime is treated with the seriousness it deserves. But we can’t do this alone. Residents reporting suspicious activity helps build intelligence and keeps our countryside safe.”

Local farmers described the personal and financial toll of repeated offences.

One Pewsey Vale farmer said his land had been targeted around ten times in a month: “Every night, I drive the perimeter to make sure gates are locked and fences intact. My wife worries each time I leave. We need people to report anything suspicious – lights in a field at night, people with dogs, or 4x4s moving at speed,” he said.

Operation Ragwort combines intelligence from Neighbourhood Policing Teams, specialised officers, and the Drone Unit, working with neighbouring forces as many suspects travel into Wiltshire from other counties. Officers have also engaged directly with communities through surveys and high-visibility patrols to reassure residents.

Photo: Wiltshire Police

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson leads the regional approach to rural crime. “By working closely with rural communities, we can use local knowledge alongside police expertise to tackle offenders effectively,” he said.

In the past year, Wiltshire Police have carried out three regional Operation Ragwort initiatives, 22 local operations with Neighbourhood Teams, cross-border enforcement with neighbouring forces and seven partnership operations with the council and Environment Agency, recovering stolen plant and tackling criminal networks.

Residents are urged to report suspicious activity online, by calling 101 or in emergencies dial 999.