Gates smashed and crops destroyed as farmers threatened by gangs hunting hares

Farming communities in the countryside west of the Welsh capital are grappling with rising security threats as gangs hunting hares smash gates and destroy crops. To protect their livelihoods, farmers have established a WhatsApp group to quickly share warnings about suspicious vehicles, while others have resorted to erecting heavy physical barriers such as concrete blocks and massive fallen trees across their field entrances.

Chris Edwards, a 45-year-old local farmer, now has to operate a JCB to shift giant logs he positioned right in front of his gates just to access his own fields. Drone footage of his property clearly reveals deep vehicle tracks carved across the land. James Tudor, representing the local NFU Cymru farming union branch, raised serious concerns after noting multiple incidents where farmers were physically threatened by intruders after confronting them on private property.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Hare coursing involves using dogs to pursue hares, scored by how closely the hounds can follow the animal's sharp turns. The practice was officially banned under the Hunting Act 2004. However, numerous police forces across the UK have flagged a recent spike in illegal coursing cases, often tied to illegal gambling operations and organized criminal syndicates. For instance, West Mercia Police issued an urgent alert over a significant rise in incidents in August 2025, followed by a similar warning from Warwickshire Police in November.

In response, Welsh police forces recently established Operation Galileo Cymru, partnering closely with agricultural unions and environmental agencies to share intelligence and coordinate enforcement against rural crime. Authorities are also considering deploying dedicated rural crime officers and exploring secondment opportunities with the environmental watchdog Natural Resources Wales.

Detective Constable Richard Paskell of the Vale of Glamorgan neighbourhood policing team emphasized that officers are fully committed to stamping out the illegal blood sport, noting that patrols have been significantly stepped up in known hotspots. Police teams have engaged directly with the farming community at major events like the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd and plan to attend the Vale of Glamorgan Show in August to encourage farmers to report any suspicious activities.

Source: BBC Science & Environment