LANDOWNERS in the Weald and Tenterden fear for their safety after a syndicate of hare coursing travellers armed with guns arrived in the area.

Gangs of men have been spotted gathering in open farmland throughout the summer with packs of dogs in a bid to hunt hares and gamble.

Police have warned local residents not to approach the men for safety reasons and have launched a specialist operation to help tackle the illegal and vicious sport.

But local PCSO Denis Connolly said there have been incidents where landowners have clashed with travellers.

He said: "A farmer was badly beaten and hospitalised last year when he tried confronting these groups of men.

"This year we have asked farmers and landowners to steer clear of these gangs and just report them to us.

"Landowners are worried about their own safety at the moment."

Police have revealed they receive two or three calls a day reporting incidents of hare coursing from the area and have launched Operation Orchard to try and combat the problem.

Gangs have been arriving from as far away as Lincolnshire since the coursing season began in the spring.

One local landowner added: "They arrive in the big 4x4s, drive across our land and crops and then hunt our wildlife.

"We farmers are proud of the area and feel a bit like guardians for the wildlife and land but it really angers us to see what these nasty and vicious people are doing here."

Kent Police said they can only prosecute offenders for hare coursing if they have the carcass of the hare.

PSCO Connolly is helping to spearhead Operation Orchard and urged local residents to remain vigilant.

He said: "We are trying our hardest to try and stamp out hare coursing as it has become a big problem on the Marsh and the Weald.

"Quite often we are speaking to people who claim that although they are from Surrey, they are just taking their two lurchers for a walk.

"It's very frustrating."

Operation Orchard has dedicated mobile phone numbers which go directly to police officers, for landowners and farmers to call to report incidents or suspicious people or vehicles. For the Tenterden area, call 07989992341. For the Romney Marsh area, call 07870252416.