Criminals 'betting on blood sports' in Shropshire fields
Organised criminals are betting on blood sports in parts of the county, according to police.
The Bishops Castle and Craven Arms rural policing team has issued an appeal over illegal hare coursing – where dogs chase down hares while bets are put on the first dog to catch the animal.
Police are warning that the people responsible are "known to be part of the criminal fraternity, possibly with links to organised crime".
The areas concerned are all near Bishops Castle and include Lea, Totterton, Plowden and The Home.
A spokesman for the Bishops Castle policing team said the people responsible often travel in "old tatty vehicles, usually estate or 4x4s".
They want anyone who has seen people taking part in the activity to contact them with information.
The spokesman said: "Now that the crops have been harvested we have already had reports of males trespassing of private land believed to be engaging in hare coursing.
"Hare coursing is a blood sport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares. It is illegal in the UK under the Hunting Act 2004, which makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs. Anyone convicted of the offence can receive a fine of up to £5,000 by a magistrates' court.
"The particular areas near Bishops Castle of Lea, Totterton, Plowden and The Home have been popular areas for hare coursing over a period of years now and it often attracts coursers from afar. The individuals have been known to be part of the criminal fraternity, possibly with links to organised crime.
"The coursers that come to this area are often groups of men and travel in old tatty vehicles, usually estates or 4x4s. They will park up in gateways, down tracks or in un-gated fields. Coursers will often walk along the edge of a field to frighten a hare into the open before setting their dogs upon it. Money can change hands and is put on the 'winning' dog which catches the hare first."
People have been told not to approach any people they see taking part in hare coursing, with police warning the coursers may take "drastic actions not to get caught".
The spokesman added: "If you witness hare coursing taking place then it can be reported at the time on 999, where possible please try and obtain the coursers vehicle registration. Coursers know they are breaking the law and may take drastic actions not to get caught, please do not approach them. Any information about hare coursers can be reported on 101."
