People in Buckinghamshire urged to watch out for hare-coursing
The appeal comes from the Country Land and Business Association who say this type of rural crime generally peaks, after the summer harvest
People in Buckinghamshire are being urged to watch out for incidents of hare-coursing, in the coming days and weeks.
The appeal comes from the Country Land and Business Association who say this type of rural crime generally peaks, after the summer harvest.
It involves people betting on which dog will catch a hare first. Something which the group says causes thousands of pounds worth of damage to farmers land.
"All incidents should be reported"
Regional Director Tim Bamford said:
“Hare coursing continues to be a blight on rural communities across England and Wales, particularly at this time of year, and we would urge farmers and landowners to remain extra vigilant.
"All incidents should be reported, with registration plates and as much information as possible, but from a safe place.
“There are signs of a more joined-up approach developing between many police forces and farmers, and it is pleasing to see recently the first convictions under the new legislation which added offences of trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for such searches.
“But there are still shocking incidents occurring; only last week a farm worker was injured when trying to photograph a car driven by suspected hare coursers. Coursing is often undertaken by criminal gangs, can be part of a wider network of organised crime, and has a massive impact on farmers and rural communities.”