Hare coursers forced to ‘abandon ship’ after one of their cars burst into flames when leaving Ely

Hare coursers who came to the Ely area were forced to abandon one of their cars when it caught fire – police are currently investigating the incident.

It’s currently unclear if the blaze was intentional or not but Cambridgeshire officers have confirmed the vehicle belonged to hare coursers.

In a post on social media, a spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “Hare coursers who came to the Ely area had to leave one of their cars behind, when it caught fire.

“It is unclear whether or not this was intentional.”

Hare coursing is where people use dogs to chase, catch and kill hares. Hunting wild mammals with a dog is illegal in the UK under the Hunting Act 2004.

A spokesman said: “Hare coursing usually takes place at dawn or dusk and tends to occur during the month of September, when large areas of land are crop-less.

“Coursers will often walk along the edge of fields to frighten a hare into the open, as well as using dogs like greyhounds and lurchers.

Anyone found to be involved in hare coursing can receive a fine of up to £5,000 by a Magistrates Court.

Officers are also authorised to seize and detain vehicles until a court hearing, under section 30 of the Game Act 1831.