Drone volunteer scheme catches 'catapult-firing' pheasant poachers in Hampshire
WATCH: Drone footage shows poachers firing catapults at pheasants on farmland in Hampshire
Hampshire Police has shared footage - shot by volunteer drone operators - of poachers firing catapults at pheasants.
It shows the poachers driving onto private farmland in the Linkenholt area, on October 7, before shooting multiple ball bearings at the birds and driving off.
A 29-year-old man, from Dibden Purlieu, in the New Forest, has since been tracked down by the force, because of the footage, which was captured as part of a Hampshire Police-led scheme.
Anyone who registers for the project - which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country - receives specialist drone training so they can provide assistance to officers in tackling rural crime.
The driver of the vehicle was dealt with by means of Community Resolution and ordered to complete a victim awareness course.
He was also served a Community Protection Notice Warning (CPNW) about his behaviour.
Funding for the scheme has been provided by Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes (NWDNL) Farming in Protected Landscapes, and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
From Westminster to Washington DC - our political experts are across all the latest key talking points. Listen to the latest episode below...