Hare coursing dispersal order in place as Lincolnshire Police continue to 'go loud' in fight against bloodsport

Lincolnshire Police's fight against hare coursing has continued over the Christmas period with two dispersal orders ­— as the force continues to 'go loud' in their attempt to stamp out the bloodsport.

The second order will run until tomorrow afternoon as officers look to deter criminals inside the county boundary.

Dispersal orders give police the power to make anyone suspected of entering Lincolnshire with the intention of hare coursing leave the county.

They are often put in place when suspected coursers have been stopped and assets taken, although there has been no suggestion any arrests and seizures have been made over the festive period.

These orders also send a strong message to other would-be offenders.

"We may want to deter further offenders coming into Lincolnshire, so putting a dispersal notice in says we're putting it out there to those thinking of coming into Lincolnshire - just don't bother," Supt Lee Pache explained.

"We go loud with that on social media. We do know offenders do follow us on social media as they want to see what's going on.

"They're seeing their criminal colleagues and the dogs being seized."

A 48-hour dispersal order was issued on Sunday (Boxing Day) at 3.25pm.

A first order, lasting 24 hours, was put in place on Christmas Eve, just before 2pm.

A change in the law now means it is a crime to go equipped to commit hare coursing - where chases are now often streamed online for illegal gambling purposes ­— which gives officers greater powers in stopping suspected vehicles and seizing vehicles, dogs and phones.

However, dispersal orders continue to help the police's fight against the bloodsport, which also poses a danger to the public and can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to farmland.

A spokesman for the force said they would urge anyone who sees hare coursing taking place to call 999 immediately and provide officers with a description of the people involved, registration numbers, vehicle descriptions and the location and direction of travel.

“Please do not confront those hare coursing, but instead contact the police who can send officers to the location,” they added.

“Anyone with reports of hare coursing that is not happening right now are asked to contact us on 101.”