RESIDENTS from Bromsgrove and Redditch have been urged to be on the look-out for suspected hare coursing.
It is believed the practice, illegal in the UK under the 2004 Hunting Act, is being undertaken in the rural areas of the district and borough.
It is an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs and anyone convicted can receive a fine of up to £5,000.
People should look out for several signs.
The most obvious is groups of vehicles parked in a rural area, perhaps by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, on a farm track or bridle path.
Vehicles are usually estate cars, four wheel drives or vans. It will be obvious looking inside whether there is evidence of dogs or not.
Hare coursers often travel in convoy with vans at the front and back containing minders and perpetrators often use binoculars to spot hares.
Coursers will often walk along the edge of a field to frighten a hare into the open.
Anyone who sees hare coursing going on should call 999, or if they suspect it is happening in their area, call 101 with any information.
It is advised people do not approach the participants.
Among the information the police want to know is whether the suspects are alone or in a group, if they are trespassing, if they have equipment, dogs or firearms, where they are going, where they have been and any makes and models of vehicles, along with number plates.
