Crackdown to protect the brown hare

31 Mar 2010 01:33 PM

Police have sprung into action in a national crackdown to stamp out illegal hare coursing.

The national initiative is taking place for the second year in succession in a bid to pounce on criminals who exploit these endangered animals which are particularly vulnerable in spring.

The move has been welcomed by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland. Environment Minister and Chair of PAW Scotland Roseanna Cunningham said:

"The sight of 'mad March hares' boxing in open fields is one of the most potent signs of spring and the hare has long been associated with Easter time. Unfortunately brown hares all too often attract the unwelcome attention of people who set their dogs after them, in the name of so-called sport.

"Operation Lepus aims to target those involved in hare coursing and associated crime and raise awareness of the problem. All efforts should be aimed at increasing brown hare numbers which have suffered a worrying decline over the past few decades.

"Protecting Scotland's wildlife remains a key priority for the Scottish Government. I am hugely grateful to these partners working together to tackle these crimes and I hope their continued joint efforts will result in a safer environment for our native creatures."

Detective Inspector Brian Stuart, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit said:

"Anti-social behaviour is typically thought to be associated with noise and graffiti but our rural communities are a target for other types of anti-social behaviour in the form of hare coursing. Those engaged in hare coursing cause criminal damage to crops, fences and buildings.

"Operation Lepus is a coordinated effort to support our rural communities through intelligence led policing. We need the support of our communities: they are our eyes and ears. If anyone witnesses suspicious activity in the countryside, report it to the police immediately."

Douglas McAdam, Chief Executive of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), and Priority Lead on the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime Poaching and Hare Coursing Group said:

"Increased public awareness is vital for us to tackle this problem. Rural organisations working together with the Police and Scottish Government are determined to bring an end to hare coursing in Scotland, and the wider public has a crucial part to play in that partnership also in helping us to achieve this objective."

Hare coursing was made illegal eight years ago and following this, Operation Lepus was devised by Tayside Police in 2005 and adopted by Grampian Police in 2007. The success of this joint approach was recognised at a national level and last year it was implemented as a Scotland-wide operation involving all Scottish police forces.

PAW Scotland is the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime in Scotland. PAW Scotland membership encompasses a wide range of bodies with an interest in tackling wildlife crime including conservation, land management, shooting and law enforcement organisations.

The arrangements for dealing with wildlife crime were the subject of a major review in 2008 by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Inspectorate of Prosecution. The Scottish Government is implementing the recommendations that relate to PAW Scotland.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit based in Livingstone is now the umbrella organisation for Lepus, with responsibility for specific local initiatives devolved to individual forces.

In 2009, 146 hare coursing incidents were reported to the National Wildlife Crime Unit - an increase from 79 reports in 2008. Hare coursing incidents tend to be more common in the east of Scotland. Grampian and Tayside accounted for the greatest incidence of hare coursing during 2007 and 2008, at 47 per cent (99) and 38 per cent (80) respectively.

There are three major components to Operation Lepus. First, the apprehension and prosecution of offenders; second, the disruption to coursing activity that results from an active and visible police presence in identified areas, and thirdly, engagement with the rural community to raise awareness of what can be done to reduce this crime. To this end landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and others who live in the countryside are being encouraged to report incidents. Early calls alerting the police to suspicious activity with descriptions of persons, dogs and registration numbers all help the investigating officers.

The offence of hare coursing comes under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002. Police have the power to arrest offenders and courts can impose penalties of fines up to £10,000, six months imprisonment or both. All items including dogs and vehicles, even if legal, can be seized and forfeited by the courts.

Anyone who witnesses or suspects that people are involved in the coursing of hares or any other rural crime should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or their local police.

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