Operation Galileo - Hare Coursing

Yesterday, officers from the Warwickshire Rural Crime Team were out conducting targeted patrols across the Rugby area as part of the national Operation Galileo campaign.

Operation Galileo is a national policing operation aimed at tackling hare coursing and associated rural crime, particularly during the times of year when offences traditionally increase.

Our patrols focus on known and vulnerable areas, gathering intelligence, engaging with landowners and rural communities, and identifying vehicles and individuals who may be involved in hare coursing or other wildlife crime.

Hare coursing isn't simply a case of people driving across a field and chasing a hare. It can cause significant damage to crops and farmland, distress and injury to wildlife, and can be linked to wider issues including trespass, criminal damage and other rural crime.

We consider all Wildlife crime to be serious crime and we will investigate any offences that are reported to us.

We'll continue to work with farmers, landowners and our neighbouring forces to disrupt those involved and make our rural communities a less attractive place for coursers to operate.

If you see suspicious activity in rural areas, please report it via 101, www.warwickshire.po.lice.uk and always 999 in an emergency. Information from the public can be invaluable in helping us identify patterns, vehicles and individuals involved in hare coursing.

Warwickshire Rural Crime Team – protecting our countryside and the communities who live and work there.