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Nottinghamshire Police join national Operation Galileo to target hare coursing and rural crime




Officers from across the county will now be teaming up with neighbouring forces to tackle hare coursing.

Nottinghamshire Police is now part of the national initiative Operation Galileo, which will see information and intelligence shared across county borders and prevent offending before it occurs.

Hare coursing is a blood sport which can involve large sums of money used to fund other criminality in rural communities.

Nottinghamshire Police have joined the national Operation Galileo initiative to target hare coursing. (62222014)
Nottinghamshire Police have joined the national Operation Galileo initiative to target hare coursing. (62222014)

Sergeant Robert Harrison, Nottinghamshire Police's force lead on Operation Galileo, said: “Hare coursing is an archaic and barbaric so called ‘sport’ which not only causes unnecessary suffering to our wildlife but leads to threats of violence to our local farmers, damage to crops, fields, paths and equipment.

“We regularly patrol our hare coursing hotspots and engage with the rural community.

“Rural communities are isolated and therefore feel very vulnerable when they are exposed to any type of crime, but particularly offences like hare coursing, which can be accompanied by violence and intimidation of witnesses.

“So our involvement in this national initiative with rural policing teams across the region is aimed at providing reassurance while showing criminals that we mean business when it comes to keeping our communities safe.

“We will always respond robustly and will utilise powers in arrest and seizure of dogs, vehicles and any other item deemed to be part of hare coursing.”

Nottinghamshire Police have joined the national Operation Galileo initiative to target hare coursing. (62222011)
Nottinghamshire Police have joined the national Operation Galileo initiative to target hare coursing. (62222011)

Police have a number of resources to help in the battle against hare coursing, including off-road vehicles, drones and wildlife crime officers — who are specially trained in prosecuting wildlife offences.

“In rural, isolated areas the use of a drone can be vital in pinpointing suspects in fields and woodland, and identifying possible escape routes,” Sgt Harrison said.

“They can direct officers on the ground to intercept the vehicles or people so officers can deal appropriately with any offences.

“We also work closely with farmers, gamekeepers and estate staff, not only to locate those responsible but to advise on action they can take to prevent hare coursers being able to access their land in the first place.”



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