Police forces in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire are working together to disrupt and prevent poaching activity.
On 22 February, Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team and officers from Hampshire and Wiltshire were joined by David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, as part of Operation Galileo.
The national operation, coordinated by the National Wildlife Crime Unit, aims to disrupt and prevent poaching activity.
In the last six months, 92 poaching incidents were reported to Dorset Police.
They included suspicious vehicles and suspicious circumstances believed to be poaching, as well as criminal damage caused by poachers.
Poaching has a significant impact on Dorset’s rural communities, with many residents reporting damage to livestock, crops, hedges, and fences in previous years.
Damage of this nature can cost farmers and landowners thousands of pounds and have a profound effect on food production within the county.
Operation Galileo saw Dorset Police work collaboratively with neighbouring forces in Wiltshire and Hampshire.
It provided an opportunity for officers to share intelligence relating to known offenders and suspicious vehicles ahead of carrying out patrols in North Dorset, East Dorset and Purbecks.
Sergeant Natalie Skinner, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “We support Op Galileo each year and, while we didn’t catch any poachers on this occasion, we were able to engage with our rural communities and gathered valuable intelligence which will be used to prevent rural crime and assist us in upcoming operations.
“As a team, we also stopped 20 vehicles and issued two drivers with tickets – one for driving without insurance and another for driving with a dangerous load.
“Although no poachers were identified during the operation, our high visibility patrols would have sent a clear message to offenders who put rural communities and livestock at risk.
“Dorset Police has seen a 20 per cent reduction in the number of reported poaching offences this year, and I believe that success is largely down to the efforts of our dedicated team; partnership working, as well as the range of tactics we’ve used to target known offenders and to prevent poaching.
“These figures are proof that what we’re doing is working, and we’re committed to continuing to reduce rural crime in Dorset.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “It was great to see Dorset Police Rural Crime Team working together with our neighbouring forces to disrupt those that commit deplorable crimes such as poaching and hare coursing.
“The crimes being committed by these offenders are truly sickening and although no offenders were caught on this occasion the intelligence gathered will go on to support future operations.
“I am pleased to see that there has been a 20 per cent reduction in reported poaching offences and, having spoken to local farmers, I know that this reduction is very much welcomed.
“I hope this operation sends a clear message that Dorset Police takes all rural crime, including wildlife crime, seriously.
“I am committed to ensuring that cross-border, partnership working will continue and grow as we strive to make Dorset the safest county.”