POLICE are appealing to find the driver of a car thought to have been involved in rural crimes after it failed to stop for officers in Ringwood.

A tractor was destroyed but firefighters managed to save a mower in a fire in a Dorset field at sunset yesterday evening (March 22).

An investigation was launched by Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team which then then liaised with colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police as it was reported that a vehicle linked to the offence had been found in Somerset.

Nearby fencing and barbed wire was damaged in order for the vehicle to be driven away.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward following the theft of pigs from a farm in North Dorset.

Police Constable India Russell, of Bournemouth police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into this burglary and have obtained CCTV images of the suspects.

Dorset Police joined officers from Wiltshire Police and Hampshire Police on Operation Galileo, a national operation aimed at making life even more difficult for hare coursers.

Dorset Police led an operation targeting rural crime this month that thwarted poachers, seized weapons and gained valuable intelligence into criminal activity.

Gerald John Hughes, 49, was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the animal welfare charity was sent video clips showing a crowd gathered around fighting cockerels in a garden.

A RURAL expert is urging farmers and landowners to take extra steps to protect themselves against fly-tipping this winter, with latest figures revealing a rise in cases.

Chris Loder doesn't think Dorset Police should investigate the death of a sea eagle.

Between 6pm on Saturday, February 12, and 8am on Monday, February 14, two quad bikes were stolen from a property in Alderholt.

A FARMER in west Dorset who is campaigning to make it mandatory for dogs to be on a lead near livestock has had more of his animals viciously attacked.

A JCB digger was stolen from a rural address in Wimborne, prompting a police investigation.

The owners of a family petting farm said they have been left angry after riders from a hunt broke fences and came onto their land.