Three men are set to appear in court as police investigate illegal hare coursing in West Lancashire.

Today (March 7) police detained three males, who were believed to be hare coursing in the Rufford area.

The men are awaiting a court date in connection to wildlife offences. Their vehicle and equipment has been seized.

The police has also issued a warning about poaching and wildlife offences and how it can impact us all.

Hare coursing was made illegal in 2004 but some incidents are still organised across the UK.

With hare coursing, dogs hunt down hares which are then attacked and killed.

A police spokesperson: “South Rural Task Force, supported by our local farming community, has today detained three males believed to be hare coursing in the Rufford area of West Lancashire.

“The males have been summonsed for wildlife offences, their vehicle and equipment has also been seized as we will be pursuing forfeiture orders at court.

“Poaching and wildlife offences affect us all, as well as the devastating impact on our local wildlife, the cost of damage caused to farmers land and property impacts food prices, so we will continue to robustly target offenders.”