Hare coursing, an illegal rural crime, has surged in Hampshire, starting earlier and lasting longer due to early harvests.

Hare coursing incidents have surged in Hampshire, UK, starting earlier than usual due to an early harvest. The Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force reports that these illegal activities, which can include violence and property damage, began in June and are expected to last until March. Organized gangs often operate across county lines, targeting the rural areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, where over 75% of the land is countryside. The task force aims to disrupt these activities and protect farmers and landowners.