An unnamed man has been charged with a total of 16 offences in connection with a warrant carried out by officers from Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team.

Officers from the rural crime team were supported by officers from Hampshire Constabulary in investigating an address in Bransgore, Hampshire, on October 3, 2022, after allegations concerning cruelty to deer and hares.

The team announced today (Friday, January 6), in a Facebook post, that a 23-year-old man has been charged with:

The man is due to appear at Poole Magistrates' Court on January 20, 2023.

Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team said two other men arrested as part of the investigation will remain released as enquiries continue.

Rural crime

Following reports of suspected poaching, Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team went out on proactive patrols in the Purbeck area yesterday evening (Thursday, January 5).

Whilst on patrol, officers reported a vehicle in "suspicious circumstances" in the Bere Regis area and both the vehicle and driver were searched.

Officers seized a catapult, ball bearings, a knife and a ferreting net following the search and have said the enquiries are ongoing.