More than 1,000 incidents of hare coursing across the county, say police

Lincolnshire Police say there were just over 1,000 hare coursing incidents reported in the county during this year’s season.
Chief Inspector Phil VickersChief Inspector Phil Vickers
Chief Inspector Phil Vickers

The force has been targeting hare coursing as part of its rural crime initiative Operation Galileo and says it has seen a significant reduction in the problem over the last four years.

Although the 1048 incidents of hare coursing reported to the force across the county between September 2019 and March 2020 was up on the same period 12 months previously, it is still well down on the figures for 2017-18 and 2016-17.

There were 873 reports received in 2018 to 2019, 1,365 reports for 2017 to 2018 and 1,965 for 2016 to 2017.

Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, who leads rural crime for Lincolnshire Police, said: “The last 12 months have been challenging times for our farming and rural communities – economic uncertainty, flooding and feeding the nation under lockdown.

“During this time, offenders have sought to continue their activities in fields across Lincolnshire, with hare coursers travelling significant distances to trespass, cause damage and intimidate local people.

“Our approach under Operation Galileo last season was to focus on prevention – stopping the offences from happening, making use of tactics that really impact on offenders.

“We have been able to seize dogs and have them forfeited at court – this continues to be the sanction that has greatest impact and makes Lincolnshire an unattractive place for offenders to visit. We are working with partners to secure a change in the law, that give courts the powers they need to appropriately deal with hare coursing.

“A total of 1,048 incidents, from September 2019 to March 2020, is the second lowest on record, but every incident is one too many and we will continue to adapt our working – the only acceptable level is zero.

“I’m hugely grateful for the support we have had from partners in the NFU, CLA and other local organisations – We have encouraged local communities to report suspicious behaviour at the earliest opportunity, and it is that information that has been key to us getting ahead of offenders.

“We have made use of technology – drones and farmers are routinely passing locations to our Control Room and giving the “What3 Words” location – that has helped us put our officers in the right place, and is a good example of us all changing our practices to prevent crime.”

Lincolnshire Police has led and coordinated the top 12 hare coursing forces across the country with Operation Galileo.

To report large scale industrial fly-tipping, livestock or machinery theft and hare coursing incidents to the police, anonymously, call the NFU/ Crimestoppers number 0800 783 0137 or 101, the police’s non-emergency number, or dial 999 if there is an immediate threat to life.