A man has been arrested on suspicion of rural crime offences following a suspected poaching incident in north Hampshire.

We were called at 10.23pm on Thursday 6 February to a report that quad bikes were being driven around a field containing crops and livestock between Hartley Wespall and Rotherwick.

Officers tracked the group, with the support from colleagues at the National Police Air Service, across fields towards Riseley, and later on to the Warren Heath plantation near Eversley.

A 29-year-old man from Hook was located and arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage and entering land as a trespasser at night with poaching equipment. He is currently in police custody.

Officers also seized a quad bike and a catapult.

Our investigation into this incident is ongoing.

We would like to hear from anyone with information about what happened. Perhaps you saw a group riding quad bikes in this area at the time? Or do you have any other information which you think will help our enquiries?

If so, please call us on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44250057302, or via our website - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

We are determined to tackle crime in rural areas, and our officers, including from our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and dedicated Country Watch team, are working hard with neighbouring police forces to tackle this type of offending.

We can only do this with your continued support.

Please keep reporting any information around suspected crime in rural areas to us. Any bit of information we receive helps us get a better idea of what is going on, so that we can target our resources accordingly.

In particular, we would like to hear from people who have seen quad bikes being driven in rural areas in suspicious circumstances, such as in convoy and at night.

Quad bikes have been used in rural criminality such as poaching and we are keen to receive any information that could help us take action.

If a crime is in progress, call 999 immediately.

More generally, rural communities can tell us about issues affecting them by visiting using our Let’s Talk survey - https://www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-constabulary/areas/campaigns/lets-talk/

If you are a member of DISC you can also use this platform to provide information to the police. If you have a business connection to the rural and wildlife environment, you may be eligible to be a member of DISC. Please email discreports@hampshire.police.uk

ENDS