Peterborough MP: ‘The law must apply to everyone’

This is a crime that doesn’t get much attention – certainly not compared to climate change activists blocking roads in Cambridge and, bizarrely, digging up University lawns, writes Peterborough MP Paul Bristow. Many might think hare coursing isn’t particularly serious. But in recent years there has been a significant increase in incidences and the activity has become notably more organised with increasingly violent escalations.

In Cambridgeshire alone, incidents increased considerably and there were 1,265 of them in 2018/19.

My Peterborough constituency stretches out past Thorney and Newborough. Many of my constituents, from tenant farmers to landowners, are plagued by illegal hare coursing.

Organised gangs turn up, trespass and then drive their heavy vehicles across the fields. Within minutes, they destroy months of hard work, wrecking the crops. Because Peterborough’s farm land is flat, apparently it makes for a good chase and its proximity to the city adds to the attraction. The best time is just after harvest.

It gives me no pleasure to say that many of those involved in organised criminal hare coursing are travellers. When I wrote about traveller encampments on public land a few weeks ago, I was targeted by local Labour Party activists on social media. But I will call out illegal activity from anyone, no matter how much Labour protests. Our rural communities deserve better.

Money is behind this criminality. If you are ever unfortunate enough to encounter hare coursing, besides the 4x4 vehicles, the dogs and the noise, you will see someone with an iPhone filming everything. That’s because it is being live-streamed across the internet. Bizarrely, there are people watching and betting from across the world.

On the dark web, punters place bets, often worth thousands, on which dog kills the most hares per slip (or chase). Some of these dogs are worth more than the vehicles driving next to them. One illegal event, the Fir Cup, is rumoured to have prize money of £6,000.

When farm workers try to intervene, they risk their personal safety, as intimidation and violence are the norm. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) rightly tells its members to call the police, while covertly noting details like registration numbers and descriptions. Yet the police are struggling.

Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire forces have invested in specialist units and now seize vehicles and dogs, keeping them in kennels until the trial. Still, the isolated nature of many farms means that response times are slow, even if utilising technology like drones.

That’s why punishment needs to involve far more than a maximum fine of £5,000, which is often just a few hundred pounds in practice. Less rides on a single bet. I will back a change in the law in Parliament.

And locally, our next Police and Crime Commissioner for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire must ensure “cultural sensitivities” don’t undermine the rule of law.

I am confident that Conservatives will continue this tough approach but will hopefully be backed by changes in the law.

Whether you’re a Cambridge don’s daughter digging up Trinity College to draw attention to climate change, or a hare courser, the law applies to you, in fact to everyone.

Do you agree with me? Tell me what you think [email protected].