Lincolnshire police have launched Operation Galileo in a bid to prevent illegal hare coursing across the county.
The force has issued a tough new warning: ‘Don’t even think about it’ to anyone considering taking part.
Operation Galileo deters, catches and prosecutes people who hunt illegally with dogs to kill hares and is led by the police’s Rural Crime Action Team. Members use resources and expertise from colleagues both in the county and further afield, including the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
Officers target offenders using the latest technology including unmarked cars, drones and off-road vehicles.
DC Aaron Flint from the RCAT team said: “Hare coursing is against the law. Using dogs to chase, catch and kill hares is barbaric, the damage to farmland and infrastructure along with the intimidation of communities, often by members of organised criminal gangs is abhorrent.
“We will not tolerate it and will take positive action, arresting those involved, seizing their cars, dogs and equipment.
“We will prosecute those involved and this can lead to significant court fines, costs, banning orders and the forfeiture of property. You have been warned.”
New laws in 2022 gave police greater powers to arrest hare coursers going equipped to take part.
“We need the community to help us by providing information if they see any suspicious activity that could be hare coursing. This will allow us to catch those involved, making life better for our communities and protecting the wildlife of Lincolnshire,” said DC Flint.
If members of the public see active hare coursing, dial 999 and give as much information as possible including the location or direction of travel; make or model of any vehicle and registration numbers if at all possible. Also a description of the people and dogs.
If it’s not happening at the time but you suspect it will or has then call 101 or report it via the police’s website at www.lincs.police.uk
