Eight people have been arrested and five vehicles seized following a robust response to suspected hare coursing.
Officers were initially called at 7.39am on Monday to reports of vehicles driving dangerously on the B1192 at Langrick, north-west of Boston.
Supported by the police helicopter and resources from the force’s response, specialist operations and neighbourhood policing teams four men, one aged 22, two aged 24 and another aged 25 and all from Cambridgeshire, were arrested on suspicion of hare coursing. The men were arrested just off Holdingham roundabout, near Sleaford.
A further call reporting possible hare coursing at Eastville was received at 11.58am.
Again, a number of the force’s resources responded to this report and following some fast-thinking and dynamic police work, a further four people were arrested again on suspicion of hare coursing offences.
All eight people remain in police custody.
Lincolnshire Police then received several other reports of 4×4 vehicles gathering in fields today, in addition to other reports of dangerous driving.
The force are now asking for anyone who has seen any potential incidents of hare coursing, dangerous driving or anything else suspicious in these areas to make contact. They are also seeking dashcam footage, in particular on the A17, A52 and A153.
Call 101 quoting Incident 57 of 2 December.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said in an update published on Tuesday morning: “We said if people come to Lincolnshire hare coursing we’ll find you and that’s what we did yesterday.
“With the invaluable help from our community, officers from our Rural Crime Team, Armed Policing, Roads Policing, Dog Team, Specialist Operations, Neighbourhood and Response Officers including officers with drones and our colleagues at NPAS all worked to identify and stop several incidents of reported hare coursing.
“We had reports from across the mid south and east of the county and we’re very grateful to everyone who called in. If you did see anything you think may be connected or have dashcam or any other recorded footage please get in touch.
“Eight people were arrested for offences including being involved in hare coursing, dangerous driving, not having insurance and failing to stop. Sorry, not sorry, to four of the eight who were arrested at a drive through before they got their burgers! Vehicles and expensive night vision scopes and binoculars seized
“There is much work to do to collate all of the video footage and complete the investigation. While we do that the eight men have been released under investigation and some with bail conditions.
“Our officers are back out on patrol today. We’re always grateful for further calls to report suspected hare coursing or suspicious activity.
“Anyone who does have any information is asked to call 101 or email ruralcrime@lincs.police.uk please refer to incident 57 of 2 December.”
