Rural police target hare coursing and poaching gangs

Police forces have been out in force to target gangs involved in illegal hare coursing and poaching on farms.

The hare coursing “season” starts in September after crops have been harvested from fields and usually continues until March.

Without crops to hide wildlife after harvest, the illegal activity is ramped up on arable land across the UK.

See also: Hare coursing – what you need to know if your farm is targeted

Hare coursing was banned in 2004 under the Hunting Act.

It involves huge sums of money being bet  on the outcome of dogs such as greyhounds and lurchers chasing hares.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of £5,000 and can have a severe impact on ecosystems.

https://twitter.com/RutlandPolice/status/780500321529393153

Over the weekend of 24 and 25 September, Norfolk Constabulary’s rural crime team carried out an intelligence-led hare coursing operation on a large west Norfolk farming estate.

Police, including officers from a horse unit, work to disrupt illegal hare coursing in Norfolk © Norfolk Constabulary

Officers used horses from a police horse unit and quad bikes to disrupt a number of hare coursers and they continue to work with the rural community to identify the offenders.

Sgt Mark Askham, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: “It is critical  we engage with our rural community and are able to facilitate bespoke methods to tackle concerns of rural crime.

“The foundations of our rural community are strong and the weekend’s activity is an example of how Norfolk Constabulary has responded effectively to a type of rural criminality, which will not be tolerated.”

Meanwhile, over the border in Suffolk, police are seeking help to identify the owners of a distinctive gold Honda CRV, which was used by a gang spotted hare coursing on farmland in Ixworth on Monday evening (26 September).

Police hunt distinctive Honda thought to have been used in #Ixworth hare coursing this week – https://t.co/Br2uvjgoff #Suffolk pic.twitter.com/KUMYpvhJ7f

— Diss Express (@Diss_Express) September 27, 2016

In Lincolnshire, police met with farmers at a meeting hosted by the NFU in Spalding on Friday (23 September).

Officers discussed Operation Galileo, which aims to reduce incidents of hare coursing across the county.

https://twitter.com/XBorderCops/status/781157139242942464

Suspected hare coursing can be reported to police on the non-emergency 101 number or in an emergency call 999.