Properties in Cambridge and Spalding were among the latest places targeted by Cambridgeshire police as they continue to make arrests following violent disorder stemming from hare coursing across the Fens last month.
Today the force announced they have now made15 arrests in connection with the incident in which villagers felt under siege following multiple complaints of hare coursing, criminal damage and dangerous driving.
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing FenlandIncidents were reported in Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, Manea, Wimblington and Doddington.
Cambridgeshire police released details of what happened on February 19 when police mounted raids in Cambridge and Spalding to trace culprits.
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing Fenland“While no arrests were made today, messages were passed to friends, neighbours and relatives encouraging the individuals to make contact or expect police to continue to visit,” said a post to Policing Fenland Facebook.
“The investigation team will not rest until all those identified have been spoken to.”
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing FenlandPolice revealed today they have now made a total of 15 arrests in connection with the violent disorder “stemming from hare coursing across the county at the end of last month”.
The latest four arrests were made in Peterborough last week:
- 18-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, arrested on 31 January
- 26-year-old man from Grantham, Lincolnshire, arrested on 31 January
- 22-year-old man from Chelmsford, Essex, arrested on 4 February
- 51-year-old man from Chelmsford, Essex, arrested on 4 February
- 46-year-old man from Solihull, West Midlands, arrested on 4 February
- 30-year-old man from Basildon, Essex, arrested on 5 February
- 44-year-old man from Horton, Slough, arrested on 12 February
- 19-year-old man from Datchet, Slough, arrested on 12 February
- 44-year-old man from Datchet, Slough, arrested on 12 February
- 28-year-old man from Winkfield, Berkshire, arrested on 12 February
- 40-year-old man from Hungerford, Berkshire, arrested on 13 February
- 35-year-old man from Reading, Berkshire, arrested on 18 February
- 20-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, arrested on 20 February
- 26-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, arrested on 20 February
- 49-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, arrested on 20 February
All of the people arrested have been released with strict bail conditions while we continue our investigation.
“Our investigation team is working hard to identify all those responsible and gather evidence to put before the courts,” said the police spokesperson.
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing FenlandA force-led investigation was launched following multiple complaints of hare coursing, criminal damage and dangerous driving across Cambridgeshire.
Cambridgeshire police have been supported by police from Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Essex, as well as the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit, in carrying out a number of arrest warrants across the region.
Chief Constable Nick Dean said he did underestimate the impact the violent disorder had on communities “and the devastation it has left behind”. He had committed to launching an investigation and bringing to justice those responsible.
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing FenlandHe said: “We have a dedicated investigation team who have been working tirelessly reviewing the many pieces of information that have been coming into us.”
Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, head of the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU), said: “What took place across several forces is utterly disgraceful and a blatant disregard for both law and civilised society.
“The multi force response, with specialist support from two national units emphasises that it will not be tolerated and that we are committed to responding robustly.”
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing FenlandChief Constable Dean added: “Our work is ongoing to identify those responsible, however I hope today’s action provides some reassurance that we are fully investigating the criminality suffered by our communities last weekend.
A video, widely distributed via Facebook, reveals the extent of just part of the havoc caused at the weekend.
WATCH: Cocky hare courser films himself wreaking havoc in Fenland
A ‘convoy’ of suspected hare coursers was spotted in Wisbech, Littleport, Welney, Elm, Christchurch and Doddington driving recklessly at high speed and terrifying villagers.
With police unable to stop them, they cocked a snook at anything or anyone who stood in their path: none dared.
Images taken from a video posted by Cambridgeshire police of a briefing and later visits made by officers to Cambridge and Spalding hunting those responsible for the mayhem in the Fens. PHOTOS: Policing Fenland“Ten cars through Tipps End about midday -many of the drivers wearing balaclavas,” said a resident. “I reported it via 999”.
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 outdo each other by their speed and dangerous driving.
“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.
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.
“And they know there is no chance they will be caught.
Another witness 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 reacted to the mayhem by organising a public meeting in Manea British Legion club on Monday. Police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston and the Chief Constable also turned up.
“What happened was abhorrent – it’s criminality,” said Mr Preston.
Manea resident Robert Sears, a former Conservative councillor, said at the meeting: “’I haven’t seen lawlessness like this anywhere in the world” he told the meeting today, describing his how he confronted 25 muddy 4x4s driving towards him.
The price he paid for his stoic stance. His car was rammed.
“I had 25 muddied up 4x4s driving at me on my narrow, single road, opposite my house,” he said.
“I went out to face them as I think that’s what needs to be done, hence my car getting rammed.
“I wasn’t too bothered about this, though, as it’s our property that has been violated – and that’s what I really don’t like.
He told police chiefs at the meeting: “You have failed this community.”
