POACHERS are being hunted in a police crackdown.
Rural areas such as Shipston and Hunningham and Darlescote are known to be used by criminals hunting rabbits and hares for sport and meat.
But police say the lack of people reporting the crime means they are often too late to catch poachers in the act.
In a bid to cut out poaching, officers have stepped up patrols in the area as part of ‘Operation Capital’.
One of their most successful swoops was on an unsuspecting van full of poachers from Walsall who also had two hunting dogs with them.
Despite one of the men escaping through a flooded field, police seized the van and say they have gained valuable intelligence on poachers using the area.
PC Craig Purcell told the Observer: “Poaching has always been a problem but we are hoping more people will start reporting those hunting rabbits or hare-coursing.
“If we can catch poachers in the act then we can get results but people need to start reporting this crime.”
Call 999 if you see poaching or ring the Shipston Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01789 444670 to report any information.
