SEVEN people have been charged after a dramatic early-morning police response to suspected hare coursing near Ludgershall.

Officers were called out in the early hours of Saturday following reports of three vehicles driving across rural land in what was believed to be an illegal hare coursing incident.

What followed was a coordinated operation across counties, with one of the vehicles stopped after a pursuit along the A303 in Hampshire. Another vehicle was later discovered abandoned.

Police say the vehicles contained dead hares, lurcher dogs and equipment commonly linked to poaching.

Seven suspects were arrested at the scene and have now been charged with being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.

Those charged are Paddy Cash, 20, of Watling Farm Close, Stanmore; Patrick Connors, 27, of Devonshire Green, Farnham Royal, Slough; Tommy Frankham, 21, of Sandy Lane, Bushey, Hertfordshire; John Nicholson, 20, of Northlands, Royston, Barnsley; Joseph Smith, 25, of Leatherhead, Surrey; Albert Smith, 25, of Woodstock Lane South, Chessington, Surrey; and Nathan Smith, 18, of Chalfont Road, Chalfont Saint Giles.

All seven have been bailed and are due to appear before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court in August.

The arrests have been welcomed as a strong response to a crime that continues to concern rural communities across Wiltshire.

Superintendent Conway Duncan said: “We recognise the impact crimes like hare coursing have on our rural and farming communities. We are committed to proactively policing these issues and will take robust action against those responsible.

“We rely on reports from the public to help us target our operational activity. If you see hare coursing taking place, ring 999 to report a crime in progress.”

Hare coursing, which involves using dogs to chase and kill hares, is illegal and often linked to wider criminal activity. Police say they will continue to work with neighbouring forces and residents to clamp down on offenders.