Nine men were expelled from Dorset by the police this morning (Wednesday) and forbidden to return for 48 hours.

Following reports of suspected hare coursing near to Knowlton in east Dorset, the rural crime team investigated the area.

They stopped and searched two cars, one of which was a 4x4.

Officers also searched the men, some of who can be seen holding sighthounds in the photos shared by the rural crime team.

All nine of the men stopped and searched were issued with Section 35 dispersal notices which mean that they must leave Dorset immediately and must not return for 48 hours.

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A spokesperson for Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: " Following reports of suspected Hare coursing this morning near to Knowlton, East Dorset, a vehicle was stopped and searched by RCT and ARV.

"Four males who were not from Dorset, were issued with Section 35 dispersal notices to leave Dorset and not to return for 48 hours.

"A short time later a second vehicle was stopped and searched under similar circumstances. A further five males who were also not from Dorset, were issued section 35 dispersal notices to leave Dorset and not return for the time period.

"We hope this sends a strong message that we will take robust action to prevent and disrupt those involved in rural crime. Patrols to continue."

Section 35 dispersal notices are part of the powers given to police by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Police can issue such a notice if they have reasonable grounds to believe that removing a person from a place will elminate or reduce the likelihood of a crime being carried out.

The maximum period of time that a person issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice can be excluded from an area is 48 hours.