Hare Coursing in Wiltshire's Vale of Pewsey Increases, Prompting Police and Animal Welfare Concerns
Wiltshire’s Vale of Pewsey has become a hotspot for hare coursing, where gangs use greyhounds or lurchers and place bets on the number of turns it takes to catch a hare. Some illegal coursing events are livestreamed to gamblers worldwide.
Inspector Andy Lemon, Wiltshire's tactical lead for rural crime, stated that hare coursing likely takes place somewhere in the county every day and urged farmers not to confront those involved.
Offences related to hare coursing and poaching have risen by more than 20% in the past year. Since January 2025, 30 arrests have been made, representing a 500% increase compared with 2024.
Gangs travel from across the UK to Wiltshire, using open post-harvest fields for cover. Police efforts include deployment of armed officers, drone operators, and road-traffic teams, but offenders often evade capture.
Landowners have attempted to prevent access by erecting barriers such as concrete troughs and fallen trees across gates; however, intruders continue to gain entry. Some farms have reported up to 10 incidents in a single month.
Notable incidents include a farm worker injured in a confrontation with coursers, a barn set on fire, and a road crash killing three cows after fencing was destroyed. A video circulated showing a farmer surrounded by vehicles involved in coursing.
Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said the police force is under significant pressure and plans to deploy armed response teams and additional resources. Intelligence indicates hare coursers are linked to international networks, including connections to China and eastern Europe.
The RSPCA raised concerns about animal welfare regarding the dogs used in coursing. Wiltshire council reported a rise in abandoned lurcher-type dogs, with 20 collected during a three-month period in 2025.
Conservation efforts that have increased hare populations have inadvertently contributed to the rise in hare coursing. Some farmers are considering shooting hares to deter these illegal activities.
