Hare and Deer Coursing
How the public can help
Members of the public play a vital role in helping us tackle hare and deer coursing. You can support this work by:
- Reporting suspicious activity promptly
If you see dogs being used to chase wildlife, vehicles driving on farmland, or groups acting suspiciously in rural areas, please report it.
• Call 999 if the incident is happening now
• Call 101 for non‑emergency information
• Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - Providing accurate information
When reporting, details such as vehicle descriptions, registration numbers, number of people involved, dog types, locations and direction of travel are extremely valuable. - Only recording if safe to do so
Photos or video can assist investigations, but only if it is safe and without putting yourself at risk. Do not confront suspected offenders. - Supporting rural vigilance
Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, secure access points where possible and report repeated activity or patterns. - Sharing community concerns
Information about ongoing issues or community impact can be shared with your local neighbourhood policing team and helps inform patrols and enforcement activity.
Actions
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6 July 2026
Hare & Deer Coursing – A Serious Rural Crime
With the harvest season approaching and crops due to be cut throughout August, fields will become more open, making hares and deer easier to spot and therefore more vulnerable to coursing activity. We are asking farmers, landowners, and rural residents to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly.
Hare and deer coursing is a serious criminal offence that continues to affect our rural communities. It is often associated with organised criminality and can have a significant impact on wildlife, farming businesses, landowners, and local residents.
In addition to the cruelty inflicted on wildlife, coursing is frequently linked to:
1-Trespass on private land
2-Criminal damage to crops, gates, fences, and property
3-Intimidation and threatening behaviour
4-Anti-social behaviour and public disorder
5-Road safety concerns involving vehicles travelling between locations
Avon and Somerset Police treat rural crime seriously and continue to use intelligence-led policing, targeted patrols, and enforcement activity to prevent offending and protect our communities.
How You Can Help
The information provided by our rural communities is vital in helping us tackle coursing and associated offences.
Report Suspicious Activity
Please contact police if you notice:
- Dogs being used to chase hares or deer
- Vehicles entering farmland or private land without permission
- Groups gathering in rural locations behaving suspiciously
- Individuals scouting fields, tracks, or field entrances
- Unusual vehicle movements, particularly early morning or late evening
How to Report
999 – If the incident is happening at the time and offenders are present.
101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence.
Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 – To provide information anonymously.
Provide as Much Information as Possible
The more detail you can provide, the better our ability to identify offenders and take action.
Useful information includes:
- Vehicle registrations
- Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and colour
- Number of occupants
- Number and breed/type of dogs
- Exact location
- Direction of travel
- Photographs or video footage, where it is safe to obtain them
Stay Safe
Your safety is our priority.
– Take photographs or record video only if it is safe to do so.
– Do not approach, challenge, or attempt to stop anyone involved.
Supporting Rural Vigilance
We encourage farmers, landowners, and residents to:
- Remain vigilant, particularly during and after the harvest period
- Secure gateways and access points where possible
- Report suspicious vehicles and behaviour
- Keep a record of repeat incidents
- Share information with neighbours and local rural watch schemes
Working Together
If you have concerns about ongoing rural crime in your area, please speak with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Information from the public helps us to:
- Direct patrols where they are needed most
- Identify emerging hotspots
- Focus prevention and engagement activity
- Build intelligence on organised offenders
- Take targeted enforcement action against those responsible
As fields open up following the August harvest, the risk of hare and deer coursing typically increases. Your vigilance and timely reporting can make a significant difference in helping protect our rural communities, wildlife, and livelihoods
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17 June 2026
Hare & Deer Coursing – A Serious Rural Crime
Hare and deer coursing is a criminal offence that continues to impact our rural communities. It is often linked to organised crime and can result in significant harm to wildlife, land, and local residents.
This activity is not only cruel but also brings wider issues such as trespass, criminal damage, intimidation, and anti-social behaviour.
Avon and Somerset Police treat coursing as a priority, using a combination of prevention, intelligence-led policing, and enforcement action to protect people, property, and wildlife.
How You Can Help
Your support plays a crucial role in tackling rural crime.
Report Suspicious Activity
Please contact us if you notice:
- Dogs being used to chase wildlife
- Vehicles entering farmland or private land without permission
- Groups behaving suspiciously in rural areas
How to report:
- 999 – if the incident is happening now
- 101 – for non-emergencies
- Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) – to report anonymously
Provide as Much Detail as Possible
The more information you can give, the more effective our response will be. Useful details include:
- Vehicle descriptions and registration numbers
- Number of people involved
- Number and type of dogs
- Exact location
- Direction of travel
Stay Safe
We understand the importance of gathering evidence, but your safety comes first.
✔Photos or video can help investigations – only if it is safe to do so
❌ Do not approach or confront those involved
Supporting Rural Vigilance
We encourage farmers, landowners, and residents to:
- Stay alert and aware of their surroundings
- Secure access points where possible
- Report repeat incidents or patterns of behaviour
Share Your Concerns
If you have concerns about ongoing issues in your area, please speak to your Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Your information helps us to:
- Direct patrols effectively
- Focus prevention work
- Take targeted enforcement action
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3 June 2026
Hare and Deer Coursing
Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime. It is illegal and often linked to organised criminal activity. This behaviour causes significant harm to wildlife and has a damaging impact on rural communities, including trespass, land damage, intimidation, and anti-social behaviour.
Avon and Somerset Police treat coursing as a priority. We are committed to prevention, intelligence-led policing, and taking robust action to protect residents, landowners, and wildlife.
How You Can Help
The public plays a vital role in tackling hare and deer coursing. You can support us by:
Reporting Suspicious Activity
Please report anything that causes concern, such as:
- Dogs being used to chase wildlife
- Vehicles entering farmland or private land
- Groups acting suspiciously in rural areas
How to report:
Call 999 if the incident is happening now
Call 101 for non-emergencies
Report anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111)
Providing Useful Information
The more detail you can provide, the better. Helpful information includes:
- Vehicle descriptions and registration numbers
- Number of people involved
- Number and type of dogs
- Exact location
- Direction of travel
Stay Safe
Photos or video can support investigations, but only if it is safe to do so.
Do not put yourself at risk or confront those involved.
Supporting Rural Vigilance
We encourage farmers, landowners, and residents to:
- Stay alert
- Secure access points where possible
- Report repeat incidents or patterns
Share Community Concerns
Information about ongoing issues or local concerns can be shared with your Neighbourhood Policing Team. This helps us direct patrols, prevention work, and enforcement where it is most needed.
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20 May 2026
Hare and Deer Coursing
Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime. It is illegal and commonly linked to organised criminality. This activity causes significant animal welfare harm and negatively impacts rural communities through trespass, damage to land, intimidation and anti‑social behaviour.
Avon and Somerset Police treats hare and deer coursing as a priority. We are committed to prevention, intelligence‑led policing and robust enforcement to protect residents, landowners and wildlife.
How the Public Can Help
Members of the public play a vital role in tackling hare and deer coursing. You can support this work by:
Reporting Suspicious Activity Promptly
Please report anything that causes concern, including:
- Dogs being used to chase wildlife
- Vehicles accessing farmland or private land
- Groups behaving suspiciously in rural areas
How to report:
- Call 999 if the incident is happening now
- Call 101 for non‑emergency information
- Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Providing Accurate Information
When reporting, details can make a real difference. Helpful information includes:
- Vehicle descriptions and registration numbers
- Number of people involved
- Types and number of dogs
- Exact locations
- Direction of travel
Only Record If It Is Safe
Photographs or video footage can assist investigations, but only if it is safe to do so. Please do not put yourself at risk and do not confront suspected offenders.
Supporting Rural Vigilance
Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to:
- Remain vigilant
- Secure access points where possible
- Report repeat incidents or emerging patterns
Sharing Community Concerns
Information about ongoing issues or the wider community impact can be shared with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team. This helps inform patrols, prevention activity and enforcement priorities.
-
6 May 2026
Hare and Deer Coursing
Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime. It is illegal and commonly linked to organised criminality. This activity causes significant animal welfare harm and negatively impacts rural communities through trespass, damage to land, intimidation and anti‑social behaviour.
Avon and Somerset Police treats hare and deer coursing as a priority. We are committed to prevention, intelligence‑led policing and robust enforcement to protect residents, landowners and wildlife.
How the Public Can Help
Members of the public play a vital role in tackling hare and deer coursing. You can support this work by:
Reporting Suspicious Activity Promptly
Please report anything that causes concern, including:
- Dogs being used to chase wildlife
- Vehicles accessing farmland or private land
- Groups behaving suspiciously in rural areas
How to report:
- Call 999 if the incident is happening now
- Call 101 for non‑emergency information
- Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Providing Accurate Information
When reporting, details can make a real difference. Helpful information includes:
- Vehicle descriptions and registration numbers
- Number of people involved
- Types and number of dogs
- Exact locations
- Direction of travel
Only Record If It Is Safe
Photographs or video footage can assist investigations, but only if it is safe to do so. Please do not put yourself at risk and do not confront suspected offenders.
Supporting Rural Vigilance
Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to:
- Remain vigilant
- Secure access points where possible
- Report repeat incidents or emerging patterns
Sharing Community Concerns
Information about ongoing issues or the wider community impact can be shared with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team. This helps inform patrols, prevention activity and enforcement priorities.