'Inadequate' hare coursing legislation in need of urgent reform

Leading farming, animal welfare and countryside organisations, alongside rural Police and Crime Commissioners, have urged the Government to revise 'inadequate' legislation that is hindering attempts to tackle the devastating impact of illegal hare coursing on the British countryside.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Defra and the Home Office, the coalition1, which includes the NFU, CLA and Countryside Alliance, has called for the 1831 Game Act to be amended2 to give enhanced powers to the police and criminal justice system, including:

• Giving the police and courts full seizure and forfeiture powers for dogs and vehicles
• Removing the existing limits on the penalties that can be imposed, which is currently a maximum £1000 fine.
• Enabling police to recover kenneling costs from offenders

It is also asking for better information and guidance for magistrates and prosecutors and support for a more effective approach from the police, building on the success of initiatives such as Operation Galileo3, which has seen hare coursing incidents in Lincolnshire reduce from nearly 1579 in 16/17 to 686 in 18/19.

In a joint statement, the coalition said: "There is no doubt that hare coursing is as prevalent as ever and having huge impacts on rural communities. Whether it is farmers being intimidated and threatened by coursers, the damage their vehicles cause to our iconic landscape or the cruelty this inflicts on our native wildlife, the impacts on the British countryside from illegal hare coursing are huge.

"Despite success in some parts of the country, we are still seeing increased incidents of hare coursing overall.

"It is clear to us, our members and the police that relying on legislation that is nearly 200 years old is simply inadequate and in need of urgent reform. That's why we are asking the Government to support simple changes to the Game Act that would give police the powers they need to properly tackle this crime and deter criminals with a sentence that fits the crime.

"As a coalition, we will continue to raise this issue with Government at the highest level and ensure they recognise the importance of tackling rural crimes to rural communities up and down the country."

Notes to editor:

1. The coalition includes:
a. British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC)
b. Countryside Alliance
c. Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
d. Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT)
e. The Kennel Club
f. National Farmers' Union (NFU)
g. National Rural Crime Network
h. RSPCA
i. Tenant Farmers Association (TFA)

2. The offence in the 1831 Game Act that the coalition is seeking to amend is 'trespassing in pursuit of game'. Arresting suspects under this offence for hare coursing is more practical for the police as there is not a requirement for the hare coursing to be physically taking place at the point of arrest. This is unlike the Hunting Act 2004, which does include a specific offence of hare coursing but the powers are difficult for police to use in practice.

3. Operation Galileo has been led by Lincolnshire Police and includes 11 other forces. In Lincolnshire alone, the number of hare coursing incidents has reduced from nearly 1579 in 16/17 to 686 in 18/19