East Yorkshire MP welcomes new powers to tackle rural crime
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart says the illegal activity has huge impacts on businesses
An East Yorkshire MP is welcoming the news the Government is introducing new powers after a three-year campaign to clamp down on rural crime.
It will see hare coursers facing an unlimited fine and possibly up to sixth months behind bars.
Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart says the illegal activity has huge impacts on businesses.
He told us "it links into gambling syndicates and people involved have links to criminal activity beyond that including theft, criminal damage drugs and firearm offences".
"They tend to threaten isolated farming families and cause damage to properties as well as killing hares."
He's particularly pleased there's a section which deals with the cost of "kennelling" dogs seized when police makes arrests in cases of suspected hare coursing.
That would see convicted criminals paying the cost of the animals' care.