Exclusive video has been obtained by CambsNews of the day travellers wreaked havoc across Fenland villages and towns, smashing through ploughed fields and terrorising villagers.
One cocky traveller filmed himself and others as they tore through a Cambridgeshire field, destroying crops, was heard laughing as he raced against a dozen other vehicles on the outskirts of Manea.
A video, widely distributed via Facebook, reveals the extent of just part of the havoc they caused.
A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information, dashcam footage or CCTV following a number of incidents of hare coursing yesterday, causing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to crops as well as putting lives at risk with dangerous driving.
“Up to 25 vehicles were seen, some in convoy, in various parts of the county, These included Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington
“We understand the impact this has had on the community and we are investigating.
“Anyone who has information and footage that could assist in identifying those involved is asked to email RCAT@cambs.police.uk
“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org”
The ‘convoy’ was spotted in Wisbech, Littleport, Welney, Elm, Christchurch and Doddington as they terrified residents by driving recklessly and at high speed.
With police unable to stop them, they cocked a snook at anything or anyone who stood in their path: none dared.
“Ten cars through Tipps End about midday -many of the drivers wearing balaclavas,” said a resident. “I reported it via 999”.
Another said: “From what people have reported, there seems to have been a meet this morning about 8.30am somewhere near Ten Mile Bank.
“Police turned up and they have all dispersed into smaller groups. Definitely no care for people’s safety, overtaking each other at speed, reports of cutting through fields, and even some mounting pavements trying to avoid oncoming cars.
“Hopefully they are caught and dealt with accordingly.”
Manea councillor Charlie Marks said his village was targeted by the convoy of vehicles – with one car dumped there after it broke down.
“There could easily have been someone killed,” he said. “The group seemed to be trying to out do each other by their speed and dangerous driving.
Exclusive video has been obtained by CambsNews of the day travellers wreaked havoc across Fenland villages and towns, smashing through ploughed fields and terrorising villagers. Photo today by Terry Harris“They had no thought for any pedestrian or anyone using the roads.”
Cllr Marks said one local farm was at the receiving end of damage to vehicles and cars roaring across fields, oblivious to the damage they were causing.
Other reports have been posted to social media about a local garage being robbed.
Another villager said: “This was definitely nothing to do with hare coursing, for that they do it on foot and with dogs. This is just wanton destruction for laughs.
One cocky traveller filmed himself and others as they tore through a Cambridgeshire field, destroying crops, was heard laughing as he raced against a dozen other vehicles on the outskirts of Manea.“And they know there is no chance they will be caught.
Another witness to yesterday’s events said: “The way they was driving I’m surprised they didn’t kill someone.
“They came from a field at the bottom of our dead end road and drove so fast down our little road!! Good job all the children wasn’t playing outside. They didn’t even stop to look at the end of the road just pulled out didn’t even slow down!”
One villager near Welney said; “We had around 25-30 cars behind our house this morning. Never seen anything like it in the 30 years we’ve been here. There were three police cars!”
MP Steve Barclay has reacted to the mayhem by organising a public meeting in Manea British Legion club at 4pm on Monday. Police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston has pledged to attend.
Mr Barclay said today: “Following the shocking criminality in Manea, Wimblington and across Fenland yesterday in which multiple cars were driven at high speed, vehicles damaged, a store robbed, and lives put at risk, Cllr Charlie Marks and I have arranged a public meeting at the Royal British Legion in Manea tomorrow (Monday) at 4pm to enable residents to meet and discuss our concerns following these events with the police.
Exclusive video has been obtained by CambsNews of the day travellers wreaked havoc across Fenland villages and towns, smashing through ploughed fields and terrorising villagers. Photo today by Terry Harris“I have spoken already with the Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston, with the Fenland Area Commander Ben Preston, with Fenland Council Leader Chris Boden, with Cllr Tim Taylor and with some of the residents directly affected.”
Mr Barclay added: “The Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed he will attend the meeting tomorrow, as will Charlie, Tim and myself.
“We need to ensure those responsible for these appalling crimes are robustly tracked down and prosecuted, and lessons are learnt from what happened. It is clear this was organised criminals trying to hide their identity and they will do it again if not found.
One cocky traveller filmed himself and others as they tore through a Cambridgeshire field, destroying crops, was heard laughing as he raced against a dozen other vehicles on the outskirts of Manea. Car (above) later abandoned in Manea“I hope those residents affected by yesterday’s events will attend the meeting tomorrow so your concerns can be heard by the Police Commissioner and others. It will also be an opportunity to discuss rural policing more widely and raise specific points with the police regarding rural crime and the challenges faced by rural communities.”
Exclusive video has been obtained by CambsNews of the day travellers wreaked havoc across Fenland villages and towns, smashing through ploughed fields and terrorising villagers. Photo today by Terry HarrisDozens of other witnessed the ‘invasion’ yesterday.
“They came through Doddington forcing oncoming traffic into the side of the road as they were travelling 2 side by side, not giving way,” said a villager. “All wearing black hats and masking their faces.”
A Manea resident said: “We are lucky we did not lose a member of the public having seen first-hand the manner in which these vehicles were being driven.”
One other person spoke of witnessing “three of these vehicles pull out on to the main road, just by the bio digester place on Mepal straight.
“They did not even stop for the oncoming traffic coming from either way; goodness knows how they did not kill a completely innocent driver or family. Such selfish ****holes.
Exclusive video has been obtained by CambsNews of the day travellers wreaked havoc across Fenland villages and towns, smashing through ploughed fields and terrorising villagers. Police car in Manea today (Sunday)“About 12:40. I was just going to work. First off, I thought they were just off roading, but then they were driving like lunatics on the main road. There are proper places for off roading, I’ve been and it is a lot of fun , but doing it on the open road and farm land ,well is just being a complete moron . No respect. But sadly, who is going to stop them, without risking themselves?
