Four Spalding men are among 25 who have been charged in connection with hare coursing after a crackdown in Cambridgeshire.
It follows reports of criminal activity in the Fenland district including near March, Chatteris and Ely on Saturday, January 25.
Cambridgeshire Police said it made ‘a series of coordinated arrests and seizures’ as part of a ‘force-wide investigation’ supported by a host of different colleagues, including those from Lincolnshire.
It led to 43 individuals being arrested and one juvenile being voluntarily interviewed.
That led to 25 charges for 39 offences.
Those charged include Tom Bower (27), of Beck Bank, Gosberton Clough, who pleaded not guilty to attending a hare coursing event, failing to comply with a traffic signal, driving a vehicle with the registration mark obscured and driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition and theft.
He will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on February 5, 2026 for trial. The Crown offered no evidence for theft and it was removed.
Mark Harris Senior (48), of Romany Way Clay Lake, Spalding, Mark Harris (21), of Romany Way Clay Lake, Spalding, and Bobby-James Harris (18), of Romany Way Clay Lake, Spalding, all pleaded not guilty to attending a hare coursing.
All four will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on February 5, 2026 for trial.
Detective inspector Matthew Selves, who has led the investigation, said: “Following a thorough investigation into incidents of hare coursing and violent disorder that took place in January this year, 25 individuals have been charged.
“Over the past two weeks, 24 of those have appeared in court. Some have entered guilty pleas, while others have pled not guilty and will now face trial.
“This marks a significant step forward in the investigation and the judicial process.
“We recognise the serious impact these events had on our communities and the devastation they caused.
“From the very outset, we made a clear commitment to carrying out a robust and comprehensive investigation.
“Reaching court this month demonstrates our determination to deliver justice and to show our communities that we will not tolerate such behaviour.”
