Frome Rural North — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Hare and deer coursing is a serious rural crime which is illegal and frequently associated with organised criminality. It causes severe animal welfare harm and has a wider impact on communities through trespass, damage to land and anti‑social behaviour. Avon and Somerset Police are treating this as a priority, focusing on prevention, intelligence gathering and robust enforcement to protect residents, landowners and wildlife. How the public can help Members of the public play a vital role in helping us tackle hare and deer coursing. You can support this work by: Reporting suspicious activity promptly If you see dogs being used to chase wildlife, vehicles driving on farmland, or groups acting suspiciously in rural areas, please report it. • Call 999 if the incident is happening now • Call 101 for non‑emergency information • Report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Providing accurate information When reporting, details such as vehicle descriptions, registration numbers, number of people involved, dog types, locations and direction of travel are extremely valuable. Only recording if safe to do so Photos or video can assist investigations, but only if it is safe and without putting yourself at risk. Do not confront suspected offenders. Supporting rural vigilance Farmers, landowners and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, secure access points where possible and report repeated activity or patterns. Sharing community concerns Information about ongoing issues or community impact can be shared with your local neighbourhood policing team and helps inform patrols and enforcement activity.

Hare & Deer Coursing – A Serious Rural Crime With the harvest season approaching and crops due to be cut throughout August, fields will become more open, making hares and deer easier to spot and therefore more vulnerable to coursing activity. We are asking farmers, landowners, and rural residents to remain extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly. Hare and deer coursing is a serious criminal offence that continues to affect our rural communities. It is often associated with organised criminality and can have a significant impact on wildlife, farming businesses, landowners, and local residents. In addition to the cruelty inflicted on wildlife, coursing is frequently linked to: 1-Trespass on private land 2-Criminal damage to crops, gates, fences, and property 3-Intimidation and threatening behaviour 4-Anti-social behaviour and public disorder 5-Road safety concerns involving vehicles travelling between locations Avon and Somerset Police treat rural crime seriously and continue to use intelligence-led policing, targeted patrols, and enforcement activity to prevent offending and protect our communities. How You Can Help The information provided by our rural communities is vital in helping us tackle coursing and associated offences. Report Suspicious Activity Please contact police if you notice: Dogs being used to chase hares or deer Vehicles entering farmland or private land without permission Groups gathering in rural locations behaving suspiciously Individuals scouting fields, tracks, or field entrances Unusual vehicle movements, particularly early morning or late evening How to Report 999 – If the incident is happening at the time and offenders are present. 101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence. Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 – To provide information anonymously. Provide as Much Information as Possible The more detail you can provide, the better our ability to identify offenders and take action. Useful information includes: Vehicle registrations Vehicle descriptions, including make, model, and colour Number of occupants Number and breed/type of dogs Exact location Direction of travel Photographs or video footage, where it is safe to obtain them Stay Safe Your safety is our priority. – Take photographs or record video only if it is safe to do so. – Do not approach, challenge, or attempt to stop anyone involved. Supporting Rural Vigilance We encourage farmers, landowners, and residents to: Remain vigilant, particularly during and after the harvest period Secure gateways and access points where possible Report suspicious vehicles and behaviour Keep a record of repeat incidents Share information with neighbours and local rural watch schemes Working Together If you have concerns about ongoing rural crime in your area, please speak with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team. Information from the public helps us to: Direct patrols where they are needed most Identify emerging hotspots Focus prevention and engagement activity Build intelligence on organised offenders Take targeted enforcement action against those responsible As fields open up following the August harvest, the risk of hare and deer coursing typically increases. Your vigilance and timely reporting can make a significant difference in helping protect our rural communities, wildlife, and livelihoods

Set: 2026-04-25

Fly‑Tipping – Local Policing Priority Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste and continues to affect local communities, rural areas and public spaces. It damages the environment, poses risks to wildlife and public safety, and creates costs for landowners and local authorities. Fly‑tipping is sometimes linked to wider criminality, including rogue waste carriers. Avon and Somerset Police are working with partner agencies to prevent offending, identify those responsible and take appropriate enforcement action. How the public can help: Please report fly‑tipping or suspicious activity. Call 999 if it is happening now, or 101 to provide information. Fly‑tipping on public land can also be reported to the local council. Only record images if safe to do so and never confront offenders. Always use licensed waste carriers.

Fly-Tipping – Help Keep Our Communities Clean and Safe Fly-tipping remains a persistent issue across our towns, villages, and rural areas. The illegal dumping of waste not only blights the landscape but can also cause environmental damage, harm wildlife, create health hazards, and leave landowners and local authorities with significant clean-up costs. From household rubbish and building materials to large-scale commercial waste, fly-tipping affects everyone and has a direct impact on the quality of life within our communities. More Than Just Waste Crime Fly-tipping is often linked to wider criminal activity, including the use of unlicensed waste carriers and organised offenders who seek to avoid legitimate disposal costs. Avon and Somerset Police work closely with local authorities, the Environment Agency, and community partners to identify offenders, gather evidence, and take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible. How You Can Help The information provided by residents, landowners, and businesses is vital in helping us tackle fly-tipping and hold offenders to account. Report Fly-Tipping and Suspicious Activity Please contact us if you witness: Waste being dumped from a vehicle Suspicious vehicles parked in remote locations with waste onboard Individuals unloading rubbish on farmland, verges, lay-bys, or public spaces Repeat incidents at known fly-tipping hotspots How to Report 999 – If the offence is taking place at the time and offenders are present. 101 – For non-emergency reports and intelligence. Your Local Council – To report fly-tipped waste on public land and arrange removal. Information That Can Help Investigations If it is safe to do so, try to note: Vehicle registration numbers Make, model, and colour of vehicles involved Descriptions of individuals Location, date, and time of the incident Direction of travel Photographs or video footage Even small details can provide valuable intelligence and assist investigations. Keep Yourself Safe Your safety should always come first. -Photographs or video footage can be useful evidence if obtained safely. – Never approach, challenge, or attempt to stop individuals involved in fly-tipping. Dispose of Waste Responsibly Everyone has a duty to ensure their waste is disposed of legally. Before paying someone to remove your waste: Check they are a registered waste carrier Ask where your waste will be taken Keep receipts, invoices, or transfer documentation If your waste is later found to have been dumped illegally, you may be required to demonstrate that you took reasonable steps to ensure it was disposed of correctly. Working Together to Prevent Fly-Tipping By remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and disposing of waste responsibly, we can all play a part in protecting our local environment. Your information helps us to: Identify and target offenders Build intelligence on repeat offending Support enforcement action Protect our countryside and public spaces Keep our communities clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone Together, we can help prevent fly-tipping and ensure our neighbourhoods remain places we can all take pride in.

Set: 2026-04-25