As fields are laid bare in the autumn, making animals easier to spot and target, police are urging residents, farmers and landowners to watch out for those carrying out hare coursing and poaching.

A spokesperson for the Devon and Cornwall Police rural affairs team said: “Hare coursing is the illegal pursuit of hares with dogs, often taking place on farmland without the landowner's permission. Poaching can include the illegal taking, killing or hunting of wildlife and game.

“These offences can cause significant distress to farmers and rural communities, damage crops and property, and are often linked to other criminality, including vehicle offences, theft and intimidation, so it is really important that we have a clear picture of incidents happening across the counties.

“We are encouraging anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in rural areas to report it to police. This may include vehicles driving across fields, groups of people with lurcher type dogs, individuals entering land without permission, or activity taking place at unusual hours.”

“Even if offenders have left the area, please report what you have seen. Information such as vehicle registrations, descriptions of people or dogs, locations and times can help us build intelligence, identify offenders and target enforcement activity. Your reports play a vital role in helping us tackle rural crime and protect our farming communities.”

The police say that each piece of information can be put together to provide the total information needed to bring perpetrators to justice.

“Your information could be the piece of the puzzle that helps us prevent future offences and bring those responsible to justice,” said the police spokesperson.

If you witness hare coursing or poaching in progress, call 999. For non-emergency information or to report suspicious activity, contact 101 or report online via the Devon & Cornwall Police website.