Investigation continues after dead animals left outside shop

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As previously reported, the bodies of around 50 dead hares, as well as a barn owl and a kestrel, were found outside the Broughton Community Shop in High Street.

Hampshire Constabulary police officers were called at 6.20am on Friday, March 15.

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Police are progressing all lines of inquiry to identify offenders, with members of its Neighborhood Policing Team carrying out reassurance patrols to speak with people in the village.

Country Watch Sergeant Stuart Ross said: “We know the effect this incident has had on the local community.

“To be clear, mindless criminal acts like this one will not be tolerated. Those responsible will face the full force of the law and the consequences for their actions.

“Crime in our rural communities can have a huge impact on the residents who live there, and on the countryside in general.

SEE ALSO: Larger police presence needed after dead animals dumped outside shop, say councillors

“Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has a dedicated team of officers called Country Watch, whose main priority is to disrupt and tackle the crimes affecting our rural communities.

“We have a strong network of partners spanning the entire county, and together we deal with matters across the spectrum of rural offenses, from organized criminal gangs who steal farming equipment, to offenses on the river network and crimes against wildlife.

“As well as this specialist team of rural crime officers, our Neighborhood and District Policing teams also work within these rural communities.

“Our main message to the public is to continue to report these crimes and incidents that occur. If you see any suspicious activity, vehicles or people in your area please get in touch. Your information could assist us in building our intelligence picture, to then effectively deploy our resources to disrupt and target those involved in rural crime.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to report it by calling 101, quoting the reference number 44240111410, or via Hampshire Constabulary’s website.

More information on rural crime, including crime prevention advice, can be found at hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/.