A pair of air rifles have been found in an abandoned car suspected to have been used for hare coursing in Purbeck.

Police have released a photo of the 4x4 found near a pub as they appeal for information and dashcam footage from the public.

It follows a report received just after 11pm on Wednesday (August 24) of suspected hare coursing in a field in Purbeck.

On arriving at the field, police found that the car involved, a blue Suzuki Grand Vitara, had already left the scene.

However, the empty car was found near to the Albion Inn in Station Road in Verwood at 8.30am this morning (Friday, August 26).

Two air rifles were found in the boot and were safely recovered by armed officers.

The Suzuki is believed to have been registered with false details.

Police Constable Sebastian Haggett, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries into this matter and are keen to hear from anyone who has come across this vehicle since the evening of Wednesday 24 August 2022 and may be able to assist with identifying the occupants.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have captured the vehicle on dashcam footage, travelling on the A31 from Purbeck towards East Dorset on the night of Wednesday 24 August 2022.

"I would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen the occupants exiting the vehicle near to the Albion Inn in Verwood in the time since the incident, before it was located on the morning of Friday 26 August 2022.

“We recognise the impact of hare coursing on our rural communities and the damage that can be caused by these individuals trespassing on private land to carry out these illegal activities. We will continue to do all we can to investigate these offences and identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220138634.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.