SMOKE was seen billowing into the air as flames spread across a field near a care home.

An officer issued a caution after the footage was discovered on social media of the man kicking a swan in Shinewater Park in Eastbourne.

Meanwhile, the West Rural Crime Team received a report of sheep being attacked on a farm near Burgess Hill, after a dog escaped from a residential premises.

A woman whose sheep were mauled by three dogs in a ‘nightmare’ attack now fears that a child could be next.

Sussex Police Rural Crime Team said officers responded after a group of trespassers inside a machinery barn were reportedly caught on CCTV.

A SERIAL fly-tipper has been fined £20,000 for dumping mountains of rubbish in country lanes.

Thieves struck overnight on Sunday, June 13 at St Albans Church in Frant, near Tunbridge Wells, stealing a “significant amount” of lead from the roof.

Sussex Police Rural Crime Team has increased its presence in and around Telscombe in an attempt to combat the issue.

Brighton Marina estate director Andrew Knight said there have also been reports of dead gulls near Roedean and in East Brighton Park.

Police in Chichester are investigating a burglary in which two electric bikes worth around £6,000 were stolen.

Lauren Sapsted’s mare Alice was found dead by Lauren’s seven-year-old daughter Bella on Monday morning (16 May). She had been due to give birth in three weeks, and had gone into labour in her panic but the foal did not survive. Her hind leg was broken.

“These crimes can have a serious impact on rural businesses such as farms, which in turn has a knock-on effect on the cost of living and the stability of the supply chain. We will continue to work with partners to share intelligence, disrupt criminal activity and bring people to justice.

Police are urging motorists to be vigilant following a spate of thefts from vehicles across rural West Sussex.

The event saw discussions on a range of issues facing land managers, such as soaring commodity prices seeing an increase in diesel theft. Moving forward, attendees committed to forming of working groups with Sussex Police to find ways to reduce poaching, hare coursing, sheep worrying and fly tipping.

The seventeen-month-old pooch was stolen a kennel last month, sparking a police investigation and huge ‘doghunt’ across social media