Mass convoy of masked hare coursers wreak havoc in Cambridgeshire

A mass convoy of 25 vehicles containing around 70 people have caused significant damage to farmland as they tore through the countryside on Saturday (25^th January).

Police have apologised after a series of complaints over its response and a meeting was held with local residents and MP Steve Barclay. 

Multiple villages were affected including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington.

“Like the Wild West”

Local farmer Mathew Latta told BBC News he counted 70 people on his farm, and gates were broken to gain access.

“It was like the Wild West, chasing hares, tearing up crops, killing deer, killing hares,” he said.

Mr Latta added that his family were “terrified”, yet they received “zero response” from the police despite calling repeatedly.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said the scale of the event was unprecented. 

Local policing commander superintendent Ben Martin said: 

“We understand the damage, concern and fear these incidents have brought to our rural communities and are sorry we were unable to do more to stop the activities of these people at the time. 

“The information we had in advance of this gathering had very limited detail, so a force-wide dispersal order was put in place. 

“However, due to the scale of the incident and the multiple locations where offences took place, as well as a significantly demanding weekend elsewhere in the county, meant we didn’t have the resources available to deal with every report we received from members of the public.”

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Significant damage to arable land

Hertfordshire Police released drone footage of several men they are looking to speak to, relating to hare coursing in Therfield, north Hertfordshire.

Police were called to the village at 1pm on Saturday after reports of several people in vehicles trespassing on private land. 

Sergeant Alex Winning from the Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) said: 

“It is believed that a number of vehicles set off from Cambridgeshire and proceeded into Hertfordshire, going through fields, breaking gates and are then suspected to have taken part in hare coursing. 

“There was significant damage to arable land caused by 4×4 vehicles and hare coursing offences committed contrary to the Hunting Act of 2004.”

He continued: “Two of the vehicles involved were a Blue Subaru Forester and a Silver Toyota RAV4.”

WATCH THE VIDEO (Warning: contains footage some viewers may find distressing):

Distressing for local people

Responding to the incident, Charlotte Cane MP said it was “deeply upsetting and distressing” for local people across a wide area.

“Damage has been done to property, including farmland and crops, harm to wildlife and residents have felt intimidated and under siege.”

She added: “I’m also aware how frustrated and angry many people are that the police response was not what the situation deserved. They have assured me that they will do all they can to improve their response in the future.”

She noted that perpretators are becoming “more brazen” and a strong and coordinated response is needed.

Vehicle seized and two arrests

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said a vehicle from the incident has been seized and will be forensically examined, as part of the investigation. Hundreds of images have been received which will be used to identify those involved. 

Additionally, two men were stopped for hare coursing in the Ramsey area. One was issued with a community protection notice, and the second a community protection warning and both were dispersed from the county.

Police are appealing for information, dashcam footage or CCTV.

Anyone with any information and footage that could assist in identifying those involved is asked to email RCAT@cambs.police.uk or alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

To report to Hertfordshire Police, you can report online at https://orlo.uk/iMe5U, use the online web chat at https://orlo.uk/jiSvN, email ROST@herts.police.uk, or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/8284/25.

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