Police warning after East Northamptonshire farm targeted several times

These include deer poaching, hare coursing, damage to crops and hedges and the theft of a lock and chain from a gate.

The incidents happened between Monday, November 14, and Saturday, November 26.

Officers are appealing for members of the public to report any suspicious activity in rural areas, and to be on the look out for people with lights or torches in fields at night.

A police spokesman said: “We are urging people who live in rural locations to make sure they mark their equipment, especially anything that is left unattended or in an isolated area.

“Offenders are damaging gates and padlocks to get onto land, or in some cases have opened unlocked gates to steal items that have been left unattended.

“It is understandable that some items are left in isolated locations but we are urging people to help us make life difficult for thieves.

“Lock gates and padlocks, photograph and mark any equipment with your postcode or another distinguishing mark, and please call us on 101 to report any suspicious activity or 999 if you think a crime is in progress.”

For further safety advice from the police, click here