VEHICLES and stolen dogs were seized by Wiltshire Police this weekend as part of a crack-down on hare coursing.

Farmers and landowners reported a large hare coursing event taking place in areas around Salisbury Plain yesterday morning (Sunday).

Officers from the Wiltshire South community policing team attended and reported nine men for offences under Hunting Act legislation, with some having travelled from as far as South Wales to attend the event.

They also seized two vehicles, a number of phones and ten lurcher type dogs.

Police are now carrying out enquiries around the dogs, some of which are believed to be stolen, and are hopeful that they will either be returned to their original owners or found new homes by Christmas.

Inspector Pete Sparrow, from Wiltshire South CPT, said: "We recognise the impact this time of crime has on our rural communities and we will always respond quickly and deal with any offender we identify, using all powers available to us, to seize vehicles and dogs and apply to the courts for forfeiture orders to have vehicles destroyed and dogs re-homed.

"I want to make it clear that South Wiltshire will not accept this illegal activity and we will do everything in our power to make it difficult for those who want to hold hare coursing events here.”