Police crackdown on hare coursers

Illegal hare coursing usually takes place late at night

Kent Police have set up a special operation in an attempt to try to stamp out illegal hare coursing.

Thousands of pounds are gambled when dogs are set on hares, giving the animals little chance to escape.

Farmers say gangs of men descend on fields without permission, destroying crops and threatening and intimidating anyone who stands in their way.

Police have already charged four men with trespass since the launch of Operation Tree last month.

Government action

Stuart Renders, a farmer from Maidstone, is regularly targeted by the hare coursers.

"I've confronted them quite frequently and you find that if they're here and they're gambling and betting on the dogs, then they're quite intimidating and can be quite aggressive," he said.

The police initiative in the Swale/Maidstone area is being backed by the Labour MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, Hugh Robertson.

Many of his rural constituents have suffered distress and financial losses from illegal hare coursing, which usually happens late at night.

Mr Robertson is seeking to bring in a private members' bill that will enable more effective policing to tackle the problem.

Jeff Holroyd, of the National Farmers' Union, said the problems caused were "very disturbing".