Illegal hare coursing - Anyone use CCTV?

[MagicMelon]

So yesterday while my other half was walking the dog beside our house a car pulls up on the road (a narrow country road) at the bottom of our field, 2 guys jump out and chuck 2 greyhounds over the fence into the farmers field which my field borders, they walk round the big field, the car passes my other half with the driver staring at my other half, he turns round then goes and picks them up and drives off. We're assuming they were hare coursing (obviously illegal). I reported it to the farmer who confirmed they had a problem with this last year (which we didn't know about) and to call him if we see them again so he can get the police. My other half is a bit worried about having to report them though as its a very rural area so we would be the only house to see them here, he thinks the men looked so dodgy that he worries they'd return to trash our cars or hurt my horses etc.! I'm now paranoid... I'm also concerned that these strange nasty looking blokes are wondering about so close to my horses and our home so I'm considering fake CCTV cameras and signs but not sure if these really work as a deterrant? We have one up on the trailer already. Im wondering if it would be a good idea to have one real one on my stables pointing at the yard and field? Does anyone use real CCTV or does this seem a bit over-kill? I went out last night and brought in any expensive tack that I'd kept in the tack room.

Hate even having to worry about this given we're in such a safe area, but I guess because neighbours are so spaced out up here people like this target it We've not had much crime in the area (the odd bit of poaching does happen as there's a big pheasant shoot on the estate nearby) apart from a certain type of people (wont say what they are or I'll get shouted at!) stealing the odd quad or heating oil.

 

[Regandal]

I would go for real CCTV. Horse protection of course.....if it picks up anyone else, bonus.

 

[Clodagh]

We have a lot of coursers around here and my OH takes a very head on approach to them, I wish he wouldn't! When one actually got as far as a court case I did have a visit from the man concerned, found him in our back garden looking at our kennels when my OH was away, very scary but he backed down when confronted and the police were pretty good.

We have CCTV all over the yard, if you get it go to a proper fitting bloke and use cameras that are clear enough to read the number plates, coursers get their cars crushed if caught properly so number plate numbers are good.

I don't know if you have a local farmwatch group, the police co ordinate it here, and they are quick to circulate details of dodgy people.

 

[Charlie007]

We have them round here constantly. We call the police everytime.

 

[Overread]

Fake CCTV isn't really worth it because if something does happen you get nothing at the end of it to use. Not even as proof for insurance purposes.

As said you really want to go with proper CCTV if you're going down that path and good CCTV as poor quality ones are about as much use as fake ones - again because if something happens you've got very little to actually work with. It drives the costs up somewhat, but gives you an actual better investment.

 

[Equi]

CCTV is never a bad thing. I would like it all over my house lol

 

[minesadouble]

Organised coursing is illegal, however coursing per se is not (and don't forget rabbits are not covered by the Act.

"Organised events, such as the 72 fixtures run each year by the National Coursing Club, will be illegal. However, "private" coursing, in which two greyhounds are run after hares, would be legal, provided that the people doing the coursing shoot the hare afterwards. Since most courses last for around 40 seconds, it is hard to see that the hare will have been hunted for an unreasonable period."

Obviously they didn't have permission to be on the land so that alters matters but to be honest I wouldn't bother with the CCTV, we regularly have people crossing our land with vehicles through the night to go lamping and we've had CCTV evidence of the number plates and once a van even got stuck in our field overnight, police came, took reg etc. - what happened?
Absolutely bog all - the police couldn't care less. I'd save your money!

 

[OWLIE185]

We have wiped it out in our area with concentrated effort from local landowners and the rural police officers. Initially notices went up warning them that if they were caught then their cars would be crushed. Then a few were caught and their vehicles crushed so they don't bother anymore.

 

[chillipup]

We have them round here constantly. We call the police everytime.

Yep^^ I too am in Lincolnshire. The Police have been out in force, over the last weekend according to our local news, due to the high number of calls they are getting about hare coursers.

At my previous place, we often had odd vans pulling over and letting greyhounds out. I used to take their registration numbers and telephoned the farmers/ two brothers that owned the land. They would hot foot it over and we'd all keep a look out, as once the coursers had spotted someone they would take off pdq. I once found one guy in his car whilst the others were over the fields, I told him to 'go away' and he said that he and his friends were looking for a lost dog! yeah right.

We had stables but no cctv. I don't think they were particularly into burglary whilst coursing, but I'm also pretty sure they wouldn't miss an opportunity if it were obvious no one was around. I don't think they would be interested in stealing horses, more likely anything they could physically put in their van(s). Obviously, tack would be very tempting.

 

[Dry Rot]

Organised coursing is illegal, however coursing per se is not (and don't forget rabbits are not covered by the Act.

"Organised events, such as the 72 fixtures run each year by the National Coursing Club, will be illegal. However, "private" coursing, in which two greyhounds are run after hares, would be legal, provided that the people doing the coursing shoot the hare afterwards. Since most courses last for around 40 seconds, it is hard to see that the hare will have been hunted for an unreasonable period."

Obviously they didn't have permission to be on the land so that alters matters but to be honest I wouldn't bother with the CCTV, we regularly have people crossing our land with vehicles through the night to go lamping and we've had CCTV evidence of the number plates and once a van even got stuck in our field overnight, police came, took reg etc. - what happened?
Absolutely bog all - the police couldn't care less. I'd save your money!

The OP is in Scotland. The law is different to England and Wales.

Having said that, two lads with two dogs are unlikely to be organised hare coursers as that would involve betting and a 'field' following in 4x4s. Frankly, this is not the sort of thing I'd associate with the NE of Scotland.

I have always found that if you are fair with those from the mobile section of the community, they will return the compliment. Maybe I've been lucky, but I haven't had any bother since I asked a couple of lads if they could help me with training the dogs. They were more than willing until I explained how bored the dogs get with the padded suits.... They do seem to have communications with each other!

CCTV in the yard is always a good idea and I can't fault that.

 

[foraday]

CCTV a great idea!

We have coursers here! Came back from a colic trip and used a back road and found a brown old izuzu without a number plate - handy of course, complete with 2 men and one at the back clambering over the fences very quickly with 2 white whippet/lurchers under the arms

This was at 1am.

Reported via crimestoppers as felt on a saturday night the police would be far too busy sorting out the drunks in towns rather than running around the countryside trying to find a non number plated vehicle which could have its plates put straight back on of course!

IT is difficult around Northamptonshire - all the farmers now have put proper gates up at the bridleways which is a right pain when your horse will not do gates (will jump them of course)

 

[popsdosh]

CCTV a great idea!

We have coursers here! Came back from a colic trip and used a back road and found a brown old izuzu without a number plate - handy of course, complete with 2 men and one at the back clambering over the fences very quickly with 2 white whippet/lurchers under the arms

This was at 1am.

Reported via crimestoppers as felt on a saturday night the police would be far too busy sorting out the drunks in towns rather than running around the countryside trying to find a non number plated vehicle which could have its plates put straight back on of course!

IT is difficult around Northamptonshire - all the farmers now have put proper gates up at the bridleways which is a right pain when your horse will not do gates (will jump them of course)

Just for future reference call anytime as they have a specialised unit to deal with it. Dont ever put yourself at risk trying to record footage on a phone.

 

[aran]

There's been a massive drive in Lincolnshire recently. Police, local councils and MPs. Essential to keep reporting them and working with local landowners.

http://m.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/local/farmers-living-in-fear-of-violence-and-vandalism-1-7127001