Two arrests made after Cambridgeshire crime spree
Four vehicles have also been seized by police
Two men have been arrested after widespread criminality and disorder in the Cambridgeshire Fens.
The arrests come following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Police that was launched after several complaints of hare coursing, criminal damage and dangerous driving in various parts of the county.
The areas affected were Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington at the weekend.
An 18-year-old man from Spalding and a 26-year-old man from Grantham were arrested today (Friday) on suspicion of violent disorder and attending a hare coursing event.
They both remain in custody at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough.
Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “I do not underestimate the impact Saturday’s events had on our communities and the devastation it has left behind.
"Earlier this week I committed to launching an investigation and bringing to justice those responsible.
“We have a dedicated investigation team who have been working tirelessly reviewing the many pieces of information that have been coming into us since the weekend and have led to these arrests.”
Four vehicles have also been seized by police, as well as hare coursing equipment.
Police forces in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Essex, as well as the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and National Wildlife Crime Unit carried out several arrest warrants across the region.
Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, head of the NRCU, described what happened at the weekend as "utterly disgraceful.
“The multi force response, with specialist support from two national units emphasises that it will not be tolerated and that we are committed to responding robustly.
“We hope today’s arrests sends a clear message to anyone involved in this kind of behaviour.”
Mr Dean added that extra patrols will be in place this weekend and hopes " today’s action provides some reassurance that we are fully investigating the criminality suffered by our communities last weekend."
Anyone with any information and video footage of those involved is asked to email Cambridgeshire Police's Rural Crime Action Team at: [email protected] or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online.