Harvest time means spotlight on hare-coursing threat says Graham Stuart MP

At this time of year there is a rise in hare coursing and Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, hopes to meet with Home Office Minister, Victoria Atkins, in the next few weeks to highlight this sinister crime and seek her assurances that resources will be made available to tackle it. Next month the MP is holding a hare coursing awareness event in Parliament to which MPs and the Minister will be invited along with the CLA, farmers, landowners, and Police and Crime Commissioners.

Hare coursing involves using dogs to chase, catch and kill hares, with gambling on the outcome common practice. The crime becomes more prevalent following the harvest and is of particular concern in Holderness when large areas of arable land are cleared of crops, making it easier for the criminals to travel across fields.

Graham Stuart MP said:

“Many local farmers have been the victims of the organised gangs behind hare coursing. So I was privileged to be asked earlier this year to launch the CLA’s national campaign to deter hare coursing, a scourge in the vast, flat open farmland of my constituency. I’m working with the CLA to get the changes needed nationally so that we don’t just displace the problem from the Holderness area but stamp it out everywhere. 

“Humberside Police does a great job trying to bring the criminals to justice – it has trained specialist rural and wildlife crime officers and they have also provided wildlife crime training for two CPS prosecutors. But the law, as it stands, can make it hard to bring successful prosecutions. I’ve listened to the concerns raised with me by Humberside police officers working in Holderness, and through the CLA have met with farmers and landowners affected by this sinister crime.

“It’s clear more needs to be done. I’m seeking a meeting this month with Victoria Atkins, Minister for Wildlife Crime at the Home Office, where I will lead a delegation of CLA farmers and landowners to let the Minister know, first hand, how the crime of hare coursing affects their lives. And next month I’m holding an event in Parliament with the CLA to highlight the issue to other MPs and what they can do in their own constituencies to help combat it.

“At the meeting with the Minister the CLA will have the opportunity to raise at the highest level attention to their own suggested Action Plan for hare coursing, which includes the introduction of specific sentencing guidelines for hare coursing, more resources for the National Wildlife Crime Unit, additional training for 101 call handlers, and giving the police the ability to reclaim kennelling costs of dogs from offenders.”

Humberside Police is launching its anti hare coursing campaign for the season under Operation Galileo, a national initiative which focusses on hare coursing. During the last hare coursing season running from September to March, Humberside Police received 508 reports of hare coursing, thirty three of these were reported for offences, but in many cases there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. The Force has four wheel drive vehicles, thermal imaging equipment and forty eight Wildlife and Rural Crime trained officers, and over 1200 officer hours were dedicated to Operation Galileo patrols.This year the police’s campaign will continue to disrupt and bring those involved to justice where possible.

Brandon Ward, Humberside Police specialist Wildlife, Rural and Heritage Crime Officer said: “Hare coursers are a blight on our countryside and we are committed to tackling those involved with the resources and legislation at our disposal. The problem is not a new one and like many other wildlife crimes there is often a significant impact on both the communities where these crimes take place and the wildlife which is involved. Rural communities increasingly feel vulnerable due to the presence of these gangs roaming the countryside.

“It is now 2018 and the main legislation available to the police to deal with and prosecute offenders is in the form of the Game Act 1831 and the Hunting Act 2004. Although the Hunting Act outlaws hare coursing the evidential burden is far too great and we instead rely on the Game Act when prosecuting offenders which has far lower penalties. Of all the hare coursers dealt with in our area last season only one has been summonsed under the Hunting Act.

“Like many Wildlife Crime Officers across the country I would welcome legislative change to both the Game and Hunting Acts so that both are fit for the modern era and to ensure that we can effectively enforce them. Alongside this higher penalties for those convicted of wildlife offences would be welcomed.

“As a predominantly rural police force Humberside Police have some very dedicated staff and officers who are equally passionate about protecting both our rural communities and the wildlife which lives alongside them.  To be more effective police forces across the UK require the correct tools and enforceable legislation to enable us to do this”.

Mid Holderness East Riding of Yorkshire Councillor Brian Skow said “I was very pleased to attend the launch of the CLA Action Plan to combat hare coursing in Holderness earlier this year which was hosted by Graham Stuart MP and well-attended by farmers, landowners and the Police. It was clear from that meeting the high level of concern about hare coursing in the rural community. These hare coursers travel from all over the country to the open flat farmland of Holderness and I think it’s important police forces work together to build up the picture of who these criminals are so they can better prosecute them. In my role as Chairman of the Safer and Stronger Communities Committee I’ve seen horrific videos of the damage these vicious criminals leave in their wake and I welcome any tightening up of legislation which will lead to this activity being brought to an end. South Holderness Drainage Board tell me they would certainly like to see tougher sentencing and higher fines for these crimes which cause much damage in the rural community.”

CLA North Adviser, Libby Bateman, said: “Every year following harvest, including this one already, farmers and landowners brace themselves for a rise in hare coursing. 

“It is a misconception for people to think that hare coursing is a minor crime in the countryside. Those involved in this illegal, high-stakes betting activity are hardened criminals, often using threats, intimidation and in some cases violence, against everyone who questions or challenges their actions. 

“It’s really helpful that Graham Stuart MP understands that tackling hare coursing is a priority and the CLA is pleased to be working closely with him to raise awareness of the CLA proposals at the highest level of Government.”

Notes to Editor

• Attached is the CLA “How to contact the police to report a crime” .pdf which it would be great if you could print alongside an article.
• Attached is the CLA’s Action Plan.