25 people charged after hare coursing investigation across Cambridgeshire
It happened in January
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
Detectives have now charged 25 individuals, as part of an ongoing investigation into hare coursing and violent disorder, which took place across Cambridgeshire in January.
The charges follow a series of coordinated arrests and seizures made in connection with a force-led investigation into widespread criminal activity on Saturday, 25 January.
The events, which included reports of hare coursing, criminal damage, and dangerous driving, caused significant disruption and concern in communities including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington.
Supported by Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Thames Valley, West Mercia, Leicestershire, West Midlands, Northampton and Essex Police, as well as the National Rural Crime Unity (NRCU) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit, Cambridgeshire officers have carried out extensive inquiries in the weeks and months since, including arrest warrants across multiple counties.
A total of 43 individuals have been arrested and one juvenile voluntarily interviewed. Of those, 25 have been charged with a combination of 39 offences including attending a hare coursing event, making off without payment, theft from shop, and driving offences. They will appear in court in September:
A further 13 people have been issued with Community Protection Warnings and four people with Community Protection Notices:
Not to be in possession of, be in control of, or be in the company of any dog on private land without the owner’s written permission.
When in possession of, in control of, or in the company of any dog, said dog must be on a lead.
Not to be in a vehicle with any dog, whilst outside of a five-mile radius of your home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment.
Not to be in possession of a catapult or shot, such as ball bearing, and/or an air weapon or any part of an air weapon.
You must not drive or be conveyed in a mechanically propelled vehicle onto private fields or agriculture field belonging to another person without written permission presentable to an officer.
You must not use any public spaces, footpaths, bridleways or other such like areas belonging to the Local Authority or another unspecified person with the intention to hare course.
You must not shout at, swear at, or intimidate any persons in the seven counties of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent.
Detective Inspector Matthew Selves, who has led the investigation, said: “We do not underestimate the impact January’s events had on our communities and the devastation they left behind. From the outset, we committed to a thorough investigation, and the charging of 25 individuals demonstrates the scale of our response and determination to hold those responsible to account.”