Arrests made after suspected hare coursing in Spalding area

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of suspected hare coursing offences following a report in the Spalding area.

Lincolnshire Police received a report of hare coursers in Eastern Road at 12.02pm on Wednesday, November 9.

Officers attended but the vehicle had left the scene.

Following a short pursuit, the vehicle was stopped, and four men, aged 32, 37, 38 and 39 were arrested.

Police seized four Saluki dogs and a VW Touareg.

The dogs have been transferred to kennels.

The four men, from the Cambridgeshire area, have been released on police bail while investigations continue.

Superintendent Lee Pache said: “We would like to thank the public for continuing to report these incidents.

"On this occasion we have arrested four men in relation to suspected hare coursing.

"They have had their dogs and vehicle seized.

“We continue to investigate and respond to reports of hare coursing across our county.

"Offenders are often linked to organised crime groups and are known to commit a wide range of criminal offences against the community as a whole, as well as placing officers and the public at risk when failing to stop for police."

Supt Pache added: “We will investigate any criminal activity reported to us and we thank the public for their support in reporting crimes.”

"We continue to urge the public to be vigilant if they spot any potential hare coursers or anyone acting suspiciously in rural areas as well as the more built up areas.

The arrests come just days after a dispersal order was put in place to deter hare coursing.