Poachers warned as North Yorkshire Police step up rural crime operation

Police in North Yorkshire have warned poachers that their illegal behaviour will not be tolerated as autumn approaches.
Aerial photograph of damge caused to crops in the Richmondshire area in April 2019 by a vehicle driven by suspected poachers. Picture supplied by North Yorkshire Police.Aerial photograph of damge caused to crops in the Richmondshire area in April 2019 by a vehicle driven by suspected poachers. Picture supplied by North Yorkshire Police.
Aerial photograph of damge caused to crops in the Richmondshire area in April 2019 by a vehicle driven by suspected poachers. Picture supplied by North Yorkshire Police.

The seasonal trend of illegal hare coursing matches the farming calendar, meaning there is typically an increase in poaching offences in September and October, after crops have been harvested, and fields are left empty and open.

North Yorkshire Police have joined Operation Galileo, a major clampdown on poaching offences.

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Galileo is a national campaign, pioneered by Lincolnshire Police, and bringing together forces particularly affected by this offending.

As part of the operation in North Yorkshire, vehicles previously linked to poaching will be identified and targeted.

Suspects will be stopped and dealt with robustly, and victims will be visited to obtain witness statements.

Days of action will be planned using officers and specialist resources from the Rural Taskforce, Proactive Policing teams, Neighbourhood Policing officers and Mobile Rural Watch volunteers.

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Police will deploy to areas of high activity, to prevent offending and investigate offences.

As part of Operation Galileo, officers will also work closely with other police forces affected by illegal poaching.

The forces will share information and intelligence, mount joint prosecutions where possible, and ensure a consistent approach in dealing with poaching - the illegal taking, killing, injuring or pursuit of game, deer or fish.

Identified offenders often have previous involvement in other forms of cross-border crime, or are members of organised crime groups.

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Many offenders travel long distances to North Yorkshire to carry out poaching offences, and are frequently from other force areas.

In the 12 months from August 2016 to July 2017, there were 1,561 reported incidents of people poaching in North Yorkshire, with the worst-affected districts being Hambleton and Selby.

Between August 2017 and July 2018, Hambleton and Selby again suffered the most incidents, but a concerted effort to tackle the problem, and some adverse weather conditions, reduced the total number of incidents to fewer than 1,000.

Insp Jon Grainge, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “All too often, offenders involved in poaching are also involved in other aspects of criminality, and landowners who suffer from this activity are often victims of other offences.

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“Landowners often report threats of violence or intimidation being made by offenders if they are challenged, leaving them feeling especially vulnerable to further crimes, such as theft or criminal damage.

“A key aspect of Operation Galileo is that we work so closely alongside other forces who are also affected by poachers.”

Residents should note down and report any suspicious activity, such as unusual vehicle movements, particularly in remote or isolated areas.

Call North Yorkshire Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.