Trio banned from private and agricultural land after hare coursing investigation in the Peterborough area

Cambridgeshire police say that Mark Harris Senior (48) and Mark Harris Junior (21) of Clay Lake, Spalding, and Tom Bower (27), of Beck Bank, Gosberton Clough, Spalding, pleaded guilty to attending a hare coursing event in the Peterborough area on January 25 this year.

Police say the three were issued with three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) at a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on February 3

The orders mean they cannot enter or be present on any part of private or agricultural land within England and Wales without the written permission of the owner.

They cannot drive any vehicle with a sighthound breed dog whilst outside of a five mile radius of their home address unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment or when travelling to and from the land the defendant owns or rents.

In addition, it means they must be able to show police on request written permission to be on land or ownership or leasehold of land or proof of appointment.

They have also been ordered to pay compensation to landowners in the sum of £1,000 for Bower and Harris Snr and £500 for Harris Jnr.

Police say the orders have been made following a Cambridgeshire force-wide investigation into hare coursing and associated criminal activity that affected communities across the county including Chatteris, March, Wimblington, Doddington as well as Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney,.

The operation, supported by multiple police forces and national crime units, resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals charged with a total of 39 offences.

Afterwards, Detective Inspector Matthew Selves, who led the investigation, said: “This outcome sends a strong message that hare coursing and the associated criminality will not be tolerated in our rural communities.

"These orders give us the powers we need to protect farmers and landowners, and to ensure those who cause harm are held to account.”