Gates smashed and crops destroyed as farmers threatened by gangs hunting hares
Farmers in the Vale of Glamorgan are confronting illegal hare coursing that has resulted in smashed gates and damaged crops. They have responded by installing barriers such as concrete blocks, fallen trees, and using a JCB to move logs to protect their fields. South Wales Police acknowledge the rise in hare coursing and are deploying proactive measures, including patrols, ANPR technology, and drones, while considering dedicated rural crime officers.
- ▪Farmers reported that gates have been smashed off their hinges and crops destroyed by trespassers hunting hares with dogs.
- ▪To deter the hunters, farmers have placed concrete blocks, fallen trees, and large logs at field entrances, sometimes requiring a JCB to move them.
- ▪South Wales Police confirmed an increase in hare coursing in the Vale of Glamorgan and are increasing patrols, using portable ANPR and drone operators to gather intelligence.
- ▪The illegal hare coursing is linked to online gambling and organised crime, prompting the formation of Operation Galileo Cymru to coordinate action across agencies.
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| Original publisher | BBC News — Science |
| Canonical URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwylk005dg7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss |
| Publication time | Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:40:30 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-27T21:43:28.362Z |
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Gates smashed and crops destroyed as farmers threatened by gangs hunting hares Image caption, Chris Edwards has been placing barriers like this massive tree trunk in front of the entrances to his fields - in a bid to deter hare coursers. BySteffan MessengerWales environment correspondentPublished2 minutes agoIn the countryside west of the Welsh capital, farmers have a WhatsApp group to warn of suspicious vehicles and some have barricaded the entrances to their fields with concrete blocks and fallen trees."They're watching us - which is probably the most disconcerting part about it," said Chris Edwards."We harvest the field and within hours, they're there."He's seen gates "smashed off their hinges" and crops destroyed by trespassers illegally hunting hares with dogs.
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