Staffordshire and Shropshire: Hare coursing clampdown

Police forces across two counties are teaming up to clamp down on illegal hare coursing.

Officers from Staffordshire and West Mercia Police will work with Bradford Estates which owns 12,000 acres of land across Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Hare coursing - in which dogs are used to chase and kill the animals - was made illegal in 2004.

Louise Jones from Staffordshire Police said: "Hare coursing is a recurring problem across rural communities.

"Not only is there the issue of animal welfare, but the wider impact on the community.

The wildlife welfare officer added the activity could also lead to "vandalism of property, loss of income for farmers and landowners, theft, intimidation, and road traffic issues due to the driving of unlicensed and uninsured vehicles".