Police investigate as mammal and wild bird shot and killed

WEST YORKSHIRE Police’s Wildlife and Rural Crime Unit has had a busy month so far, after attending a number of incidents where people caused harm to animals.

Information appeal following circulation of video appearing to show wildlife offences

Video circulated in the media and shared to Wiltshire Police appears to show offences taking place
Appeal to members of public for support in identifying those in the footage
We are actively investigating the circumstances depicted

Fear spreads as 30 farms are targeted by criminals

Quad bikes and other farm machinery have been stolen since the spate began in November last year, police said.

Woman from Brent Knoll banned from keeping cattle

A WOMAN from Somerset has been hit with a court bill of more than £4,600 after pleading guilty to five animal cruelty charges.

Norfolk: Police catch men equipped for hare coursing

A car has been seized by police after officers stopped four men suspected of being involved in an illegal bloodsport.

Police report a number of poaching incidents on Exmoor

Avon and Somerset Police said: "There have been a number of poaching incidents reported recently around the Dulverton/Hawkridge/Ashwick areas.

North Wales: Police warn of suspicious activity in rural areas

POLICE are urging people to report suspicious activity in rural North Wales.

Sheep attacked by dogs at farm in Hazelbury Bryan

POLICE visited a farm in north Dorset after reports of sheep worrying and two sheep recently being attacked by dogs.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust makes plea over nature reserve crimes

In the past 18 months it said tens of thousands of pounds worth of items had been stolen, including a tractor.

Warning as sheep attacked by dog

A DOG attacking a sheep in Fife has prompted a public appeal reminding owners to keep their pets on a lead.

Conviction For Stolen Sheep

Hartley Crouch of Cottesmore Road, Ashwell, was recently convicted of theft after he stole a sheep, skinned it and fed it to hounds at a hunt.

Marking kits dramatically cut farm thefts

A rural area which was previously “hammered” by quad bike and machinery thefts has seen a dramatic reduction in crime since farmers started trialling property marking kits.

Fox hunt video in Wiltshire alleged to be Avon Vale Hunt

In the phone footage revealed by ITV News, people - alleged to be members of the Avon Vale Hunt - dig up a wild den in the countryside and retrieve a fox from it for their hounds to chase after.

Police step up patrols after reports of wildlife poaching

POLICE are stepping up patrols in a number of Warrington villages after reports of wildlife poaching.

Badger killed in illegal snare near Northampton

Witnesses are being sought after a badger was found snared in a field behind Glebe Lane in Great Houghton.

York and Selby: police with drones fight rural crime

Dedicated officers from the North Yorkshire Police Rural Task Force have been targeting patrols last night (February 7) in Scoreby and surrounding areas of York and Selby District.

Two shotguns stolen from Mamble near Great Witley

MORE guns have been stolen - this time shotguns - in a burglary as police raise concerns about rural crime.

Owner of dog caught chasing sheep appears at Oxford Magistrates' Court

A dog owner whose pet was caught worrying sheep has been fined £100.

Over £120,000 worth of machinery stolen in Dorset

Dorset Police’s rural crime team is appealing for information regarding the theft of over £120,000 worth of machinery and equipment from a worksite in Purbeck, Dorset.

Stolen Honda 420 Quad Bike

A red Honda 420 quad bike has been stolen from the Llanrhystud area of Ceredigion

Livestock worrying in south west data released by NFU Mutual

NFU Mutual estimates south west farm animals worth £273,400 were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2022.

Rural engagement officers seize and recover 180 vehicles in 2022

Our Rural Engagement Team have been busy helping to keep our rural roads safe by seizing uninsured vehicles and recovering stolen vehicles to reunite with their owners.

Barn fire in Westerleigh on Leigh Lane sees cows moved

A herd of cows has had to be moved because of a barn fire that broke out in south Gloucestershire yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).

Men fined for fishing without licences

Two men fishing without a licence on a Dorset farm have been fined a total of £886 - when the licences would have cost just £6 each.

Rural officers track down dozens of stolen goods

A quad bike, dozens of hedge trimmers and other stolen tools have been recovered by rural officers in Dartford.

Dartmoor Forest wildfire severely damaged moorland

A fire that broke out on Dartmoor Tuesday afternoon damaged 700 metres of moorland having been intensified by strong winds.

Police seize seven dogs after properties raided due to 'animal welfare concerns'

The dogs are now in the care of the RSPCA

Concern after dead otter found in Stanwick is fourth in a short space of time

Concern has been raised following the discovery of a fourth dead otter in a short space of time.

Bird flu infects animals including foxes and otters

The UK is still “a long way” from being in a situation where bird flu could infect humans and spread in a similar way to Covid-19, an expert from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) has said.

Body found in search for Freddy missing from Stolford

The family of missing Somerset teenager, Freddy, has been informed that human remains have been found.

'Distracted' dog owners placing sheep 'at risk of fatal injuries'

Distracted dog owners who believe their pets would never attack farm animals are putting sheep at risk of fatal injuries, new research has revealed.

Rural crime police in Culcheth attend crops damaged by quadbikes

RURAL crime police have attended north Warrington to focus on a number of issues.

Royal Agriculture University students parade dead fox on top of car sparking outrage

Students at the prestigious university, dubbed “Oxbridge for farmers”, were also accused by local animal groups of throwing dead hares at passing cars.

Man arrested on suspicion of New Holland tractor theft

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the theft of a New Holland tractor in the Thames Valley.

Theft of tractor from Eynsham Cricket Club threatens new season

A cricket club are crowdfunding to replace a tractor that was stolen at New Year which may threaten the club's ability to start the new cricket season.

Farmer 'murdered' elderly aunt by deliberately 'running her over with a tractor'

Michael Scott has gone on trial accused of running over his elderly aunt Christine Treacy at her home in Derryhiney, Ireland, following a long-running land dispute

Tractor stolen in Oxfordshire village near Bicester

The vehicle was stolen between December 30 and 31 in Kirtlington.

Police with drones fight rural crime

POLICE with drones have been tackling rural crime around York and Selby.

Watchdog reassured over North Yorkshire Police wildlife crime actions

A watchdog charged with holding to account a police commissioner responsible for one of Britain’s worst wildlife crime hotspots has been reassured more effective actions to tackle offenders have been launched.

The rural area of Somerset where fly-tipping is rife

A rural area of Somerset has seen a spike in the number of fly-tipping incidents in the last year, new statistics have revealed. While other areas of the county have seen the number of cases of dumped rubbish fall, Sedgemoor has seen a nine per cent rise in incidents.