Farmers in the Vale of Glamorgan are resorting to barricading their fields with concrete blocks and fallen trees to combat illegal hare coursing. Some farmers, like Chris Edwards, have reported gates being "smashed off their hinges" and crops destroyed by trespassers.
Edwards, a beef and sheep farmer from Colwinston, stated that he now uses a JCB to move giant logs to block his gates, as chains and padlocks are cut. He added that vehicles have rammed gates, allowing animals to escape onto roads, and that ruts are left in the ground, damaging crops.
South Wales Police confirmed an increase in hare coursing in the Vale of Glamorgan, along with a rise in intimidation and violence. Inspector Huw Tyler noted that the force is implementing more proactive policing, including new funding for portable automatic number plate recognition technology and drone operators. The force is also considering introducing dedicated rural crime officers.
James Tudor of NFU Cymru warned of incidents where farmers have been "physically threatened" and have had vehicle windows smashed. Det Con Richard Paskell of the neighbourhood policing team observed a change in behaviour among those involved, with an "increase in the damage [caused] and the cost [to farmers]".