Beverley & Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, visited Patrington to launch the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) national campaign which sets out measures for farmers, landowners, police and Government to work together to bring hare-coursers to justice.
The CLA’s Action Plan includes proposals to introduce specific crime recording guidelines, for Police to be able to reclaim kennelling costs of seized dogs, for the convicted hare coursers and dogs involved to be registered on the Police National Computer, and for additional training for 101 handlers.
Graham Stuart MP said “It was a pleasure to meet CLA members, a number of police officers involved in rural crime, and East Riding Councillors in Patrington to launch the CLA event. I applaud the CLA for bringing this abhorrent crime to the national stage, and I will be doing everything I can to support the CLA and farmers see this crime stamped out.
“Humberside Police were well-represented at the meeting with Sergeant Andy Beadman, PC Brandon Ward, the specialist rural crime officer, and PCSO Mike Fowler in attendance, as well as PC Matt Ainley. The Police were clear that they take this crime seriously and dedicate much time and resources to combatting it. Humberside Police has a good record in catching and prosecuting these offenders but they’re up against it when the latest police figures show that 338 calls over possible hare coursing were received between November and the middle of February, albeit many calls were repeat calls over single incidents.
“Holderness, with its vast, arable, flat farmland, is an attractive location for hare-coursing which was outlawed in the Hunting Act. Almost daily during the coursing season which runs from after the harvest to early spring, farmers have to put up with the almost daily blight of hare-coursing on their land. The culprits are intimidating, and often a trail of devastation is left behind; ruined crops, disturbed stock, and broken fencing. The launch event was a great success and I am taking up the issue at the highest level with the Ministry of Justice to try to find the national solution which will wipe out hare-coursing for good.”
CLA North Adviser Libby Bateman said: “Fines imposed under the Hunting Act are unlimited, yet too often they amount to just a few hundred pounds. This is not an effective deterrent for a lucrative crime. The police are able to seize vehicles and dogs – both of which would have a direct impact on hare coursers. However, the police are currently unable to reclaim the cost of looking after seized dogs. We want to see this changed as it will offer a greater incentive for police officers to take custody of the dogs, without which the criminals cannot continue.
“We’re very grateful to Graham for the support he has given in launching this campaign and are looking forward to working with him in bringing about real change to rural businesses affected by this crime.”
