Suspected poachers have car seized by police in north Northumberland

Officers received a report of suspected hare coursing at Rock, near Alnwick, on Sunday, February 21, around 8.30am.

Northumbria Police’s Response and Rural Police Team were directed to an exact point by a member of the public using location sharing app what3words.

After assessing the evidence, officers reported three men for poaching offences, Covid-19 breaches and seized a Ford Focus.

Sergeant Ian Pattison from the Rural Crime Team said: “Poaching is no longer just taking one for the pot, but is the use of dogs to indiscriminately kill wildlife, often for betting purposes as well as on occasions damaging fields and fences with vehicles.

“We have been working closely with our rural community to encourage them to report any suspicious behaviour.

“We see them as our eyes and ears and I want to thank our concerned caller for bringing this to our attention.”

He asked residents to contact police if they see anything suspicious, such as a group of vehicles parked in a rural area - by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, farm track or bridle path.

Other useful information is descriptions of suspects, any accents they have, if they have dogs, vehicle information, registration plates, make and model and direction of travel.

Sgt Pattison said: “If you find anything that may be evidence, such as tyre marks, foot prints or blood, then take a photo and try to preserve it by covering it with a plastic bag or sheet until officers arrive.

“Remember all information is potentially important as even the smallest detail could match with someone else’s report and help build a case against a suspected offender.

He added: “Please do not approach these individuals and simply report and record what is seen.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious or has any information about Rural Crime is asked to contact police via 101 or can do so by submitting the online tell us something form.

If a crime is in progress ring 999.

You can also do this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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