Dorset Police's Operation Galileo targets poachers

Dorset Police has taken part in a multi force operation aimed at deterring people from poaching.

Operation Galileo is a national operation and one of its main priorities is to tackle hare coursing – an illegal activity that is linked to organised crime.

Officers from Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team took part in coordination with Hampshire and Wiltshire Police.

The aim was to show a united front in dealing with the issue and to act as a deterrent to criminals.

Speaking as officers went out on Thursday night, Sergeant Natalie Skinner of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team said: “What we are aiming to do is disrupt any poaching incidents that come in and look out for any suspect vehicles in areas down farm tracks and the like.

In total, 20 vehicles were stopped and checked, with two drivers receiving a traffic offence report. One for no insurance and the other for a dangerous load.

Nine intelligence logs were also submitted.