SIX MEN have been arrested and charged with rural crime offences, in particular hare coursing, in Aberdeenshire.

The arrests came after a targeted operation which started after recent incidents in the Rothienorman, Huntly, Laurencekirk and Turriff areas.

Aged 17, 18, 39, 40, 43 and 76, the men have variously been charged with assault, vandalism, road traffic offences, and offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (hare coursing), while two vehicles were also seized, and were due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court this week.

Constable Iain Fraser, who led the operation said: "North East Division has dedicated wildlife crime officers across the region who work extremely closely throughout the entire year with landowners and farmers and liaise with organisations such as the NFUS and the Scottish Land and Estates.

"However, with hare coursing predominantly a seasonal crime, occurring during the spring as crops emerge into fields, days of targeted action like this are crucial to reinforce our message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

"Hare coursing is a barbaric sport that has been banned for good reason," said Constable Fraser. "The animal suffers a horrendous death after it's been chased around the field for several minutes, ending up exhausted and torn apart by a chasing dog.

"In addition, intelligence has shown that the type of person who takes part in this type of activity is often linked to other types of criminality, mainly other wildlife crimes.

"Behaviour of such a cruel nature is not acceptable, and I would urge any members of the public who witness such a crime, or know that one has taken place, to please contact the police," he said. "Also, if you are a farmer or a landowner, and you would like to report any suspicious activity or people on your land – particularly suspicious people with dogs such as lurchers or greyhounds – I would ask you to contact us on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, in confidence.

"I hope this action provides reassurance that we are doing what we can to ensure the North East is a hostile environment for such crime," he added. "We have the power to arrest and charge offenders and seize vehicles and dogs involved in illegal hare coursing, and would ask for support and information from local communities to help us utilise these powers."