LANDOWNERS on the Marsh fear for their lives 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 – usually greyhounds and lurchers – to hunt hares and rabbits and gamble.

Police have warned residents not to approach the men and have launched a specialist operation to tackle the illegal and vicious sport.

But district councillor and local landowner Alan Clifton-Holt believes it is just a matter of time before things get out of hand.

The Haguelands businessman said: "Last year, a farmer was hospitalised for confronting these nasty people and the police have asked everyone to keep away from them.

"If I see these gangs, I drive the other way – they carry firearms and are the sort of people that, if you went up to them, you may not be around the next day.

"I fear for my life but, if it doesn't stop soon, farmers will get fed up with it and we could have all-out war with these travellers right here on the Marsh."

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

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

Mr Clifton-Holt added: "They arrive in 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 it can only prosecute offenders for hare coursing if they have the carcass of the hare.

Marsh PSCO Denis Connolly is helping to spearhead Operation Orchard and urged local residents 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.

"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 for landowners and farmers to call to report incidents or suspicious people or vehicles which go directly to police officers. For the Romney Marsh area, call 07870 252416. For the Tenterden area, call 07989 992341.