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A national operation has been launched to tackle hare coursing and poaching on farms across the UK.

Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team and representatives from the NFU kick-started Operation Galileo - an annual initiative designed to combat crime during hare coursing season - at Andrew Ward's Glebe 51AVÊÓƵin Leadenham on Wednesday (September 20).

Operation Galileo has support from 32 forces and partnership agencies with increased patrols designed to help ‘deter and disrupt criminality' - particularly in relation to hare coursing.

Superintendent Lee Pache, head of Lincolnshire Police's specialists operations, said hare coursing would not be tolerated under any circumstances and was concerned by the impacts it had on farmers and rural communities.

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"It is a huge issue for our rural community, with too many people living in fear of these crimes and criminals," Mr Pache added.

"The illegal activity of hare coursing damages property, threatens people's incomes and subjects people to fear and intimidation.

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"Many of those are very unpleasant with violent and unscrupulous backgrounds, many of whom have links to organised criminality.

"Significant sums of money can change hands in the form of illegal betting and gambling on the outcome.

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"We are committed to tackling this issue, and we would like to thank the public for their continued support in reporting incidents to us."

Lincolnshire Police also released figures from September 2022 to March 2023 - hare coursing season - with a total of 32 arrests being made which was an increase of 400 per cent compared to the previous year.Ìý

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There had been a total of 40 dogs seized by police which were believed to have been used for hare coursing -Ìýan increase of 60 per cent compared to the previous period, officers confirmed.

Rhonda Thompson, NFU county adviser, said it was important to raise awareness of rural crime which puts ‘farmers, animals and property at risk'.

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"There are now harsher sentences and increased police powers to tackle this illegal activity and the message is simple - if you come here, you will have your dogs, cars and equipment seized as well as receiving a hefty fine," she added.

"We are pleased Lincolnshire Police are leading the way using the new legislation and we welcome the efforts being made by their Rural Crime Action Team and thank people for providing such important on-the-ground intelligence to help stop this awful crime.

"We look forward to further action to stamp down on hare coursing in the future as it has plagued the Lincolnshire countryside for far too long."

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