Local News · Warminster
Wiltshire police conduct rural crime crackdown in Tollard Royal and Ox Drove
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Specialist officers have launched a cross-border operation to combat rural crime, including poaching and hare coursing, following a crackdown in rural Wiltshire.
A coordinated enforcement operation aimed at tackling rural crime has seen Wiltshire Police join forces with neighbouring regional constabularies. The initiative, carried out on September 8, focused on disrupting illegal activities such as hare coursing, sheep rustling, and deer poaching, which continue to affect the county’s agricultural landscape.
Specialist officers conducted proactive patrols throughout rural areas, with a particular focus on locations surrounding Tollard Royal and Ox Drove. During the operation, authorities stopped a number of vehicles, resulting in one vehicle being seized. The activity formed part of the broader Operation Ragwort and coincides with National Rural Crime Action Week 2026.
The operation involved close collaboration between Wiltshire Police, Dorset Police, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. Representatives from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape also supported the effort, providing intelligence-sharing and community engagement.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police highlighted the necessity of this cross-border approach, noting that those responsible for rural offences do not respect administrative boundaries. The force continues to encourage the public to remain vigilant. Residents who witness suspicious activity or suspect that rural crime is in progress should report their concerns to the police, or call 999 if it is an emergency.
Source: Wiltshire Times — Warminster · View original