Huge increase in suspected hare courser arrests
Main article content
Our Specialist Operations Teams and new hare coursing legislation has led to a 400% increase in arrests of suspected hare coursers.
During the hare coursing season, which ran from September 2022 to March 2023, we made 32 arrests which was an increase of 400% compared to the previous year.
A total of 40 dogs believed to be used for hare coursing were seized, an increase of 60% compared to the previous year, and we issued 12 Public Notices to suspected hare coursers which is down by 436%.
A total of 573 incidents were reported to us over the six month period. This compares to 570 reported incidents in just one month in the previous season, down by 63 per cent.
The good results are a mixture of the introduction of our Rural Crime Action Team into our Specialist Operations Department, new hare coursing legislation and a national trend in the decline of hare coursing.
The new legislation, which came into force on 1 August, makes it an offence to go equipped for, search for, or pursue hares with dogs, and an offence to trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs.
This legislation was used earlier this year when two men were charged under the act and both received more than £6,000 in fines each: Two males charged under new hare coursing legislation | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)
Chief Inspector Steve Williamson said: “This season has seen some really positive results and shows that we do not tolerate hare coursing in the county. We hope these results send a positive message to the community and those impacted by rural crime and hare coursing.
“We are really pleased with the difference having our dedicated Rural Crime Action Team is making and we will continue to target criminals in rural areas, which is one of our force priorities.
“We would like to thank the public for their continued support in reporting incidents to us.”
The Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) were put in place to patrol and target rural crime including hare coursing, wildlife crime, arson, burglary and theft. They also offer crime prevention advice.
Johanna Musson, NFU county adviser for south Lincolnshire, said: “On behalf of farmers, some of whom have been terrorised by hare coursing, we offer a huge thank you to Lincolnshire Police and all those involved in helping prevent this barbaric crime.
“Hare coursing puts people, animals and property at risk, and the NFU, working with the police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, has campaigned on our members’ behalf for better protection for years.
“There are now harsher sentences and increased police powers to tackle this illegal activity and the message is simple - if you come here, you’ll have your dogs, cars and equipment seized and receive a hefty fine.
“We are delighted Lincolnshire Police has led the way using the new legislation and we are buoyed by the latest crime statistics from the Rural Crime Action Team, which are very welcome.
“There is always more work to be done though and that includes farmers and growers reporting incidents to keep the issue high on the police agenda, and we must keep speaking with our MPs and raising public awareness.
“We look forward to further action to stamp down on hare coursing in the future as it has plagued the Lincolnshire countryside for far too long.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Rural Crime Action Team is having such a profound impact on keeping our communities safe.
"I was able to provide the Chief Constable with funding for a new team with the support of the Lincolnshire public through the council tax last year and was always confident that a dedicated team of officers, properly equipped, could make a real difference in targeting, tracking and catching criminals.
"That confidence has now been realised and I want to thank the team for their dedication and commitment."
The key objectives for the team were set after consultation with our key partners and are documented in the Rural Community Safety Plan. You can read more about the team here: New Rural Crime Action Team formed | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)
As part of our force priorities, we continue with Operation Galileo to tackle rural crime. Operation Galileo is supported by a total of 32 forces nationally and works with partner agencies to deter and disrupt criminality such as hare coursing.
We continue to investigate all reports of rural crime.
However, we want to warn members of the public not to approach anyone you suspect of hare coursing, and please do not put yourself at risk.
- If you see any live incidents of hare coursing taking place, please call us on 999, and note any vehicle descriptions or number plates, if you can.
- If you have any other information to help us tackle hare coursing in our county, please call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Further reading on previous hare coursing arrests and charges can be found below:
Five arrested for hare coursing offences | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)
More than 20 arrests made in harecoursing crackdown | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk)
