Campaign against illegal coursing

Farmer say illegal hare coursers damage fields

Police in Northamptonshire have launched a three-week operation to crack down on illegal hare coursing.

Officers are working closely with landowners, farmers and gamekeepers to target the illegal hare coursers and poachers and their vehicles.

Farmers say the activity causes widespread damage to crops and surrounding grassland.

People taking part in illegal hare coursing have been known to be aggressive or violent, say police.

Earlier this year a farmer who lives near Oundle in Northamptonshire, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said that the situation has got steadily worse over the years.

"If we do approach these people we are offered abuse and we are threatened and our families are threatened," he told BBC News.

Northamptonshire Police will be using off-road vehicles and quad bikes to target offenders during the operation.