Watch: Balaclava-clad hare coursers rip through fields in mass convoy of

Credit: Hertfordshire Police

A band of balaclava-clad hare coursers left locals “terrified” after their convoy of 30 4x4s ripped through farmland at the weekend and tore up crops.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said the scale of the hare-coursing incident across Fenland was “unprecedented”, with the villages of Manea, Wimblington, Welney, Chatteris, Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow and Littleport all affected.

A video posted to social media showed the hare coursers speeding off-road through fields and shouting.

Two fire engines were damaged in what has been described as an “appalling” and “shocking” spate of criminality on Saturday when the group came across a firefighting training exercise.

Sisco Service Station in Wimblington was also targeted after more than £200 of fuel, food and drink were stolen.

An abandoned car used by hare coursers covered in mud in Manea – Charlie Marks/SWNS

A public meeting in Manea on Monday was called by Steve Barclay, the local Tory MP, and Cllr Charlie Marks. The meeting, attended by 300 people, heard how the convoy of 30 cars carrying dozens of balaclava-clad men ripped through fields and tore up crops.

Robert Sears, a Manea farmer, said he had never seen lawlessness like it. Twenty-five 4x4s had driven up his narrow farm track, he said.

Mr Sears had tried to face them down but said his “belligerence” had resulted in his car being rammed and other damage caused.

He made 999 calls and was told police would attend within three to four hours. “That was Saturday morning, I am still waiting – that’s not good enough.”

Matthew Latter was forced to barricade his family in their home after 70 balaclava-clad men and 30 vehicles took over his farm.

Farmer Matthew Latter — Mr Latter says police are yet to visit his farm after the incident on the weekend – Fenland Citizen/SWNS

He said: “We had at least 70 people literally take over our farm from 1.30pm to 4pm. There were 13 4x4s.

“I called the police three times, I gave the What3Words co-ordinates of exactly where they were but we didn’t have any response – absolutely zero.

“My seven-year-old daughter was crying and was utterly terrified.

“My question is how bad does it have to be? They had cut through every single gate, moved every single concrete block.

“We have been left with four vehicles dumped, two have been burnt out, one is stuck but despite all of this we have yet to have a police officer come out to us.”

Leo Butler, from Chatteris, said he had never seen anything like what he faced on his farm as the criminals tore up his fields.

He said: “What I would like to know is where were the police – there were no helicopters, no police cars, not one police officer – nothing.

“If the police aren’t going to confront these people, somebody’s got to.”

Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, addresses the public meeting, also attended by MP Steve Barclay (centre) and Chief Constable Nick Dean (left) — Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, addresses the public meeting, also attended by MP Steve Barclay (centre) and Chief Constable Nick Dean (left) – Fenland Citizen/SWNS

Cllr Marks, who witnessed some of the criminality in Manea, said it was pure luck that no one had been killed or seriously injured. “We could have been mourning a member of our village today,” he said.

Mr Marks claimed one man was armed with a pick axe handle and said: “You can only imagine what that meant if anyone happened to get in their way.”

Chief Constable Nick Dean said there was “no excuse” for the lack of response and that an inquiry was being launched to investigate what went wrong.

He added he had gone with his “gut feeling” over the allocation of extra resources and his comment that “I perhaps got it wrong in hindsight” brought laughter from the crowded hall.

The public meeting held in Manea on Monday – Fenland Citizen/SWNS

Mr Barclay said he was pleased to hear the chief constable acknowledge the police mistakes and the promise of an investigation.

The Rural Operational Support Team (Rost) captured images via drone and a pursuit was made by the Roads Policing Unit.

Sgt Alex Winning, from Rost, said: “It is believed that a number of vehicles set off from Cambridgeshire and proceeded into Hertfordshire, going through fields, breaking gates and are then suspected to have taken part in hare coursing.

“There was significant damage to arable land caused by 4×4 vehicles and hare-coursing offences committed contrary to the Hunting Act of 2004.

“Hare coursing sees running dogs set onto a hare and the dogs compete and are judged by how closely they can follow the twists and turns of the hare as it tries to escape, and if they ultimately catch and kill it. The dogs are competing and gambling is often involved.

“Anyone found guilty of hare coursing could face punishments including unlimited fines and the possibility of imprisonment.”

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