Berkshire tops the list of counties with the most arrests – thus far – after an incursion into the Fens by a group of alleged hare coursers intent on disrupting country life, menacing behaviour and yobbish behaviour.
Cambridgeshire police – aided by police forces across the eastern and southern counties – have so far made 11 arrests in connection with the fateful day, January 25, that resulted in threats to farmers, widespread damage to fields, cars burnt out, vehicles rammed, and high speed reckless driving on country roads.
Up to 70 people, mostly if not all men, are thought to have taken part.
WATCH: Angry residents demand answers to Fenland day of terror
This was no chance meeting, with Cambridgeshire police having made 11 arrests – five from Berkshire.
Essex is in second place for arrests – 3 men arrested – with two further arrests made in Lincolnshire and the 11th suspect arrested is from Solihull in the West Midlands.
The inglorious list of arrests:
- An 18-year-old man from Spalding, Lincolnshire, was arrested on 31 January
- A 26-year-old man from Grantham, Lincolnshire, was arrested on 31 January
- A 22-year-old man from Chelmsford, Essex, was arrested on 4 February
- A 51-year-old man from Chelmsford, Essex, was arrested on 4 February
- A 46-year-old man from Solihull, West Midlands, was arrested on 4 February
- A 30-year-old man from Basildon, Essex, was arrested on 5 February
- 40 year old man from Hungerford Berkshire
- A 44-year-old man from Horton Berkshire
- Two men aged 19 and 44 from Datchet Berkshire
- A 28-year-old man from Winkfield Berkshire
All men have all been released on bail to return to Thorpe Wood Police Station at a later date, with strict conditions:
- Not to be in possession of, be in control of, or be in the company of any dog on private land without the owner’s written permission.
- When in possession of, in control of, or in the company of any dog, said dog must be on a lead.
- Not to be in a vehicle with any dog, whilst outside of a five-mile radius of your home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment.
- Not to be in possession of a catapult or shot, such as ball bearing, and/or an air weapon or any part of an air weapon.
- You must not drive or be conveyed in a mechanically propelled vehicle onto private fields or agriculture field belonging to another person without written permission presentable to an officer.
- You must not use any public spaces, footpaths, bridleways or other such like areas belonging to the Local Authority or another unspecified person with the intention to hare course.
- You must not shout at, swear at, or intimidate any persons in any of the 12 counties – Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire or Nottinghamshire.
Four of the men arrested yesterday – with Cambridgeshire police supported by Thames Valley Police also have the below condition:
- You must not shout at, swear at, or intimidate any persons in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Anyone with any information and footage that could assist in identifying those involved is asked to email OpCalluna@cambs.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
“A force-led investigation was launched last month following multiple complaints of hare coursing, criminal damage and dangerous driving in various parts of the county,” a Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said.
WATCH: Cocky hare courser films himself wreaking havoc in Fenland
Since the investigation was launched, police have also seized several vehicles, as well as hare coursing equipment and electronic devices.
Superintendent Ben Martin, local policing commander for Peterborough and Fenland, said: “We made a commitment to the communities affected by the events last month that we would do all we can to pursue those responsible for the abhorrent criminality.
“I hope our continued efforts to identify people and bring them into custody is providing some reassurance that we are taking this seriously and fully investigating.”
Cambridgeshire police caught suspected hare coursers after a police chase that began in Benwick and concluded in March, off Lambs Hill Drove.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 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.
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.
“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!”
Pictured MP Steve BarclayMP Steve Barclay, police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston and Chief Constable Nick Dean all attended an emergency public meeting in Manea on January 27, 2025, to discuss a day of carnage across the Fens on January 25 caused by an influx of troublemakers and law breakers. PHOTO: Terry Harris
MP Steve Barclay reacted to the mayhem by organising a public meeting in Manea British Legion club on the Monday following the incidents: Police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston and Chief Constable Nick Dean attended.
Mr Barclay said: “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.”
