Hare-coursing gangs from across the country are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the Harborough district

Hare-coursing gangs are wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds across Harborough, police have warned.
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Violent criminals are feared to be coming into South Leicestershire from across the Midlands and northern cities such as Leeds and Sheffield.

They use extremely fast greyhounds and other hounds to illegally chase hares – which are endangered - around the countryside.

The highly-organised gangs cause massive damage to farmers’ land and crops as well as the general environment.

Hare-coursing gangs are wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds across Harborough, police have warned.Hare-coursing gangs are wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds across Harborough, police have warned.
Hare-coursing gangs are wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds across Harborough, police have warned.

The offenders also pose a serious threat to local farmers who confront them.

PC Steve Winn, a Harborough-based rural beat officer, said: “This is a significant problem.

“On average we’ll get at least two or three calls a week about hare-coursing here through various forums.”

The experienced countryside officer said the criminal ‘invaders’ have been targeting a string of villages around Market Harborough.

“On the whole this practice is located in fields that support the activity.

“The hare lives above ground so they are looking for certain land they live in and on,” said Steve.

“They need large flat fields with a good view to carry out hare-coursing as this depends on sight.

“We receive regular calls about gangs around the villages of Kibworth, Hallaton, Gaulby, Goadby, Slawston and Skeffington.”

He said the culprits, who often roll up in big 4x4s and SUVs, prefer dry flat land as it gives them greater access to more territory.

“Apart from chasing and sometimes killing poor hares the real impact these gangs have is the terrible damage they cause,” stressed Steve.

“Entering the land and damaging locks and gates and churning up the land and expensive crops.

“Often the damage can total thousands of pounds if they wreck cropped fields so it’s a disaster for farmers.”

He urged farmers and eye-witnesses to alert police immediately by calling 999 if they spot suspicious behaviour.

“Please call us the moment you see these hare-coursing gangs in action.

“Tell us what you’ve seen and where – we need exact mapping and geographical locations – and we’ll respond as quickly as we can,” vowed Steve.

Meanwhile, Rupert Matthews, Conservative candidate to be Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland, blasted the gangs after meeting farmers and villagers in Uppingham.

Mr Matthews said: “One farmer I spoke to told me only a few weeks ago a woman walking her dog was almost killed when a speeding hare-coursing gang vehicle crashed through a hedge.

“They missed her by inches.

“Other rural residents have suffered thousands of pounds damage to their property - and been threatened with extreme violence if they protest.

“Our local police are doing their best with limited resources, but we can always learn from best practice elsewhere.”

He added: “It has now been announced that the top 12 hare-coursing forces across the country will unite to target offenders who cause greatest harm to our rural communities by sharing information and intelligence across the whole of the UK.

“The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) will also be involved, supporting the analytical work, to help police use legislation against the key offenders in a way that has not been done before.

“I will shortly be meeting in Westminster with all MPs who represent rural areas in Leicestershire and will be pressing them to take action on this.

“If elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland, I will seek to co-operate the national campaign against the hare-coursing gangs.

“I will also look at ways to make funding available to the chief constable to invest in the latest tech to protect officers and the public.

“As well as taking the fight to criminals.

“The reign of terror caused by hare-coursing gangs in rural areas must end.”