A British police department in the heart of crop circle country has raised concerns about the mysterious formations that appear in the area every summer. Wiltshire Police reportedly issued a statement addressing the phenomenon that has become somewhat synonymous with the county. "While they might look impressive, creating a crop circle without the landowner's permission is criminal damage," they noted, stressing that "these acts can cause serious short and long-term damage to crops and fields and may also attract further illegal activity." To that end, the department noted that the appearance of a crop formation is often followed by trespassers, prohibited deployment of drones, and even theft by ne'er-do-wells drawn to the area.

Farmers who discover a formation on their land and wish to avoid falling victim to such shenanigans, the department said, should post clear markers indicating that public visitations are not welcome. They also noted that property owners who opt to allow people to come and see any curious crop creations on their land bear responsibility for such individuals and, as such, should consult their insurance company before putting up a proverbial welcome sign. Additionally, Wiltshire Police called upon the public to report any formations they might find. Considering the crop circle community's dedication to tracking down the latest designs as they appear, one imagines that few will go unnoticed.

The message from the Wiltshire Police was strikingly similar to a statement the department issued back in 2017, in which they warned any would-be crop circle makers about the criminal liability involved in the peculiar artistry. It is uncertain what prompted them to issue an announcement this year as, to date, only two formations have been found in England. Speaking to farmers' different responses to the designs, the first of the season prompted the property owner to charge admission to the public. However, the second design was destroyed just a day after it was discovered over the weekend.