Six men charged after mass hare-coursing event in Bedford

Six men have been charged and pleaded guilty following a mass hare-coursing event that caused public outcry and “huge distress” last year, when dead hares were dangled from vehicle windows and paraded through Bedford town centre.

More than 100 people descended on farmland between Great Barford, Ravensden and Blunham on 10 November 2021 for the huge hare-coursing event, which had been organised as part of a funeral procession.

The offenders then travelled to Norse Road, Bedford, where police were called to reports of dangerous driving, as well as hunted hares being dangled from vehicle windows in the town centre.

See also: Borderless policing to crack down on hare coursing

Disturbing footage from the scene was widely shared on social media.

Using footage captured on body-worn cameras and evidence from the public, Bedfordshire Police worked with the National Wildlife Crime Unit and other police forces across the country to identify potential suspects.

In June, six men pleaded guilty at Luton Magistrates’ Court to offences under the Hunting Act.

All six were ordered to pay court costs totalling more than £2,100, and issued with Criminal Behaviour Orders with restrictions that cover Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent

The order will remain in place for three years, and the restrictions are designed to limit their ability to poach.

‘Thrilled’ by result

Lead investigator PC Stuart Grant, from Bedfordshire Police’s rural crime team, said the force was “truly thrilled” with the outcome.

“These men have not only chosen to break the law, but also paraded trophies of their crimes through the town, causing huge distress to those present and the wider community via social media,” said PC Grant.

“We hope this case will show the community that, while we were unable to enforce this event at the time of the incident, the gravity of it was not lost. It was imperative that these offenders were brought to justice, and we are glad to have done just that.”

Bedfordshire Police is one of 32 forces working together as part of Operation Galileo to disrupt hare coursing in the UK.

Ch Insp Phil Vickers, national police hare coursing lead, said: “This result sends a clear message to the criminals involved in hare coursing – police will put more resources into preventing your barbaric behaviour.”