An investigation by the Rural Task Force led to two men being detained in connection with metal theft.
The team were on patrol in Hythe on 11 March 2022 when they spotted a vehicle linked with the theft of aluminium from Folkestone the previous day. The officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a search. They found evidence that they believed related to the stolen metal and detained the two occupants of the vehicle.
Two men aged 27 and 31 were arrested in connection with the metal theft and have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.
The pair were two of 13 people arrested by members of the Rural Task Force in March.
In addition to the arrests 13 vehicles and two horses were seized, 10 incidents of livestock worrying were investigated and the officers made enquiries following 31 reports of poaching.
Included within the arrest tally was a man from Ashford who was later charged with allowing his dog to worry livestock.
The incident was reported at around 4.30pm on Thursday 10 March 2022, when a dog is reported to have been seen chasing a sheep on agricultural land in Kenardington.
Distressed ewe dragged across the field by dog
At one stage, a witness reported seeing a distressed ewe being dragged across the field by the dog, before it and its owner left the area.
The sheep was found by the landowner and had sustained serious injuries to a hind leg and its body which meant it had to be put down.
Charlie Hawker later arrested in connection with the incident and charged with one count of being the owner of a dog worrying livestock.
The 28-year-old, of Appledore Road, Ashford, has been released on bail to attend Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 28 April.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw of the Rural Task Force said: ‘March was a varied month for the team who were responsible for a number of positive results from across the county.
‘They are continuing to work hard to combat and deter hare-coursing, rural burglaries and livestock worrying.
‘We have also been working with local authorities to tackle fly-tipping and there have been a number of successful prosecutions against those illegally dumping waste.
‘We understand that people in rural areas often feel isolated and remain committed to working with people within these communities to tackle the problems they face and help them to feel safer.’