Police made three more arrests as part of Operation Migrate, a joint operation running in Wantage, Faringdon and Hungerford to tackle hare coursing.

On Saturday three men, two aged 23 and one aged 20, were arrested in Childrey on suspicion of hare coursing.

Insp John Turner, based at Wantage police station, said: “We are taking a proactive approach and working hard to catch people who carry out hare coursing.

“Although these men have been released without charge, we will investigate every report we receive to ensure that we prevent and deter such crimes from taking place.

“It is not just the act of putting the dogs onto the hares that we are concerned with but also the total disregard that the hare coursers have for other peoples’ property.

“They cause criminal damage to crops, fences and buildings and in addition, those responsible are very often in breach of various traffic laws. The hare coursers in our area also illegally use The Ridgeway.

“I would like to remind the public that if anyone is caught hare coursing they will be arrested and their vehicles and dogs will be seized. We will be working jointly with the RSPCA, actively patrolling areas and targeting those responsible.

Anyone with information which could help the police should contact Insp Turner at Wantage police station via 0845 8 505 505, or if you don’t want to talk to the police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.