Volunteer police drone catches pheasant poachers firing catapults from a car on Hampshire farmland in a policing first

The 29-year-old from Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest admitted his role and was dealt with by community resolution, meaning no charge was brought. The footage captures at least three men using catapults to fire ball bearings at wild birds from the windows of a Honda CR-V at Linkenholt, near Andover, on 7 October. One pheasant was injured. The car then sped across private farmland, leaving tyre tracks through crops.

Volunteers trained on a bespoke course launched the drone just before 5pm that evening.

His Community Protection Notice Warning means arrest only if he offends and breaches again.

Hampshire police warned rural criminals: 'We have eyes in the sky, and we are watching you.'