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In rural areas west of Cardiff, farmers are facing ongoing challenges as gangs engage in hare coursing—illegally hunting hares with dogs—resulting in damaged property and destroyed crops. To counter this, some local farmers have formed a WhatsApp group to alert each other about suspicious vehicles, while others have taken physical measures, such as blocking field entrances with large concrete blocks and fallen trees. Chris Edwards, a beef and sheep farmer from Colwinston near Cowbridge, described how gates have been “smashed off their hinges” and crops wrecked soon after harvest, often within hours of finishing work. The intimidation faced by farmers and neighbors trying to intervene has escalated to verbal and physical threats.
Edwards noted the logistical challenges his farm now endures, needing to employ heavy machinery like a JCB to move giant logs he places to block access points, as previous attempts with chains and padlocks proved ineffective due to trespassers cutting them. “It’s got to the stage now that if we don’t put a log like that in the gateway they force access,” he explained. The criminal activity not only results in property destruction but also poses dangers such as animals escaping onto roads. Edwards pointed out that the area’s excellent transportation links via motorways and A roads make it an accessible location for those involved, further aggravating the problem during seasons like autumn when planting takes place and soil damage occurs from vehicle tracks.
James Tudor, representing the local farming union NFU Cymru, highlighted the intensity of the situation, expressing concern about farmers being “physically threatened” when confronting hare coursers. He emphasized the damage inflicted, including broken vehicle windows and ongoing intimidation, on top of the already difficult circumstances facing farmers. While recognizing the supportive relationship between the agricultural community and local police, Tudor voiced the need for an expanded police presence to apprehend offenders caught in the act. He also noted that South Wales Police is currently the only force in Wales without designated rural crime officers, potentially limiting targeted resources.
South Wales Police acknowledged an increase in hare coursing in the Vale of Glamorgan, along with associated violence and intimidation. Inspector Huw Tyler described proactive steps underway, including investments in portable automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and drone surveillance to identify offenders. Consideration is also being given to appointing specialized rural crime officers and collaborating with agencies like Natural Resources Wales. Tyler highlighted the importance of community engagement, encouraging farmers to report incidents to build an accurate intelligence picture, though he stated that there is no current local evidence linking hare coursing to organized crime or illegal gambling. Detective Constable Richard Paskell added that the police had stepped up patrols at known hotspots and observed more aggressive behavior from perpetrators, who increasingly ram gates and fences rather than simply parking nearby as in the past. To raise awareness, police officials have engaged with farmers at events like the Royal Welsh Show and planned similar outreach at the Vale of Glamorgan Show
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