A pre-Christmas clampdown across parts of Cambridgeshire saw police take action against illegal lamping and hare coursing.

“Our mighty rural crime action team were back out in force this weekend disrupting criminals,” boasted a police spokesperson.

“In Whittlesey they responded to reports of lamping on Friday evening.

“They quickly boxed in a suspected vehicle on Fletton Parkway and handed four suspects community protection warnings.

They were dispersed from the county and their car was also seized.”

Cambs Times: Dispersals and fines handed out in Aldreth by Cambridgeshire Police at the weekendDispersals and fines handed out in Aldreth by Cambridgeshire Police at the weekend (Image: Cambs Police)

In East Cambridgeshire at Aldreth, police say they responded to reports of vehicles driving dangerously on bridleways.

“Five cars were eventually surrounded and stopped before being seized,” said the spokesperson.

“Seven people were dispersed from the county and multiple fines and tickets were issued as a result.”

Footnote: Lamping is where lights are used in pitch darkness to frighten animals before dogs are deployed to chase them and the animals are shot.

Cambs Times: Lamping suspects detained by Cambridgeshire Police at WhittleseyLamping suspects detained by Cambridgeshire Police at Whittlesey (Image: Cambs Police)

It needs at three people to be involved – one as a driver, a ‘lamp man’ and of course the shooter.