Animal welfare is often cited as one of the most important issues for Hampshire residents.

Reports of ponies being injured on New Forest roads often feature as the most read items for this paper.

Any discussion on whether the ban on hunting should be repealed creates a stir in this region.

And yet, as this paper reports today, Hampshire does not fare well when it comes to the question of animal cruelty.

The RSPCA reports an increase in the number of incidents where animals are badly treated, making Hampshire one of the worst areas in the country. This is truly surprising.

Much of the county is rural and this usually means a strong understanding of the welfare of animals.

Our urban communities also do not have a reputation for wishing harm on our wildlife and domestic pets.

And yet the figures speak for themselves.

In the end only publication of the facts that surround these cases will ensure that those who carry out such appalling acts are brought to book and others realise the need to be ever vigilant.