Cambridgeshire Police have issued dispersal orders, and community protection warnings to six men hare coursing near Ramsey.
The Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) responded to a call from a concerned member of the public on Friday morning (February 10) and discovered six men and two dogs at the scene.
A coursing vehicle then proceeded to drive at one of the RCAT officers, who luckily managed to move out of the way before being hit and escaping injury.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the force's RCAT, said: "Cambridgeshire's flat and rural landscape makes it a popular area for hare coursing and other rural crime, but as a force, we work hard to bring offenders to justice.
"People can help us tackle hare coursing by looking out for groups of vehicles parked in rural areas (particularly by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, or on a farm track or bridleway), estate cars, four-wheel drives or vans with dogs inside or groups of people using binoculars to spot hares."
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Hare coursing is an illegal activity where greyhounds or sighthounds are used to chase, catch and kill hares.
Freaky Friday today.
— CambsRuralCops 🚜🚮🏰🦊🦇 (@CambsRuralCops) February 10, 2023
6 males & 2 dogs dealt with by the team in the #Ramsey area. They were also dispersed & issued with #7FOpGalileo CPWs.
Another coursing vehicle decided to drive at one of our officers. Unacceptable. The officer is fine. An early door knock soon ⚖️#RCAT pic.twitter.com/Rl6Ve2Q2Ab
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said that hare coursing is a "barbaric blood sport" and is often associated with intimidation, violence and criminal damage.
The spokesperson added: "Tackling it [hare coursing] is a priority for RCAT as officers aim to make our rural communities even safe."
Police advise anyone who sees illegal coursing, lamping or poaching in progress to call 999.
For more information on rural crime, including how you can help police, visit the force's dedicated web page: www.cambs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime.
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