CLA raises members' concerns Cambridgeshire Police

Regional Director Cath Crowther and Regional Surveyor Eleanor Willats met with Cambridgeshire Police Chief Constable, Nick Dean, Superintendent Steve Kerridge and Sergeant Tom Nuttall, who heads up the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) to discuss several incidents of rural crime which have recently taken place across the county.

The main reason for the meeting was to discuss a recent hare coursing incident which took place at several locations across Cambridgeshire in late January. Cambridgeshire Police, with assistance from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, has been investigating the incident and working in collaboration with other county police forces to make 10 arrests to date.

The Chief Constable made a personal commitment to investigating this incident and the force is in the process of internally debriefing on the events that took place to ensure that in the future their response is satisfactory.

The regional CLA team raised the question as to whether the control room staff should have further training to understand the seriousness and impact rural crime such as hare coursing has on the community.

It was confirmed that training had been provided before, but officers acknowledged that more was needed to ensure that rural crimes in progress are responded to with the appropriate resource.

The importance of cross border working was also discussed and the need for sharing of intelligence and research across police boundaries to ensure these criminals are caught, and held to account.

Those involved in hare coursing incidents are often organised groups associated with wider criminality and the seriousness of the damage caused must be recognised. Unfortunately, in many circumstances, the potential ‘rewards’ far outweigh the risk of being caught and punishments being issued.

Recent fines issued to those caught hare coursing in the county were highlighted and the importance of the magistrates understanding the severity of the crime.

The CLA is providing a response to the recently launched consultation from the Sentencing Council on proposed new guidelines for sentencing illegal activities associated with hare coursing.

It is important for members to report rural crimes and the CLA was asked to ensure members provide as much information as possible. If a crime is in action (e.g. a hare coursing incident) please ensure you call 999 and give as much detail as you can.

Overall, the Chief Constable and the RCAT team tell us they are committed to maintaining confidence in policing amongst local rural communities.

The CLA is reliant on members telling us about their issues and experiences to ensure any meetings with the police are as productive as possible and that we can hold them to account. Please contact the East office with any feedback - 01638 590429 or east@cla.org.uk.