Seven men and two teenagers have been charged with trespassing with intent to pursue game.

All nine were arrested on Tuesday afternoon, after a report that a group of men were hare coursing on a field at Ten Mile Bank, near Littleport.

Police from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire responded the incident.

Seven men were later charged with trespassing with intent to pursue game and they were taken to King’s Lynn Police Investigation Centre.

They are: Albert Ayres, 48, of Rudge Road, Standerwick, Somerset; Mark Loveridge, 33, of Milton Close, Slough, Berks; Samuel Beldom, 48, of Broadwater Close, Wraysbury, Berks; Michael John Cole, 48 of Wigbeth, Horton, Dorset; Shane Chapman, 23 of Juniper Close, Wimborne, Dorset; Peter Barney, 27 of Juniper Close, Wimborne, Dorset, and Denny Loveridge, 33, of Datchet, Slough, Berks.

A 14 year-old boy and a 15 year-old boy have also been charged with the same offence.

All those charged have been released on conditional police bail and will appear before King’s Lynn Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 27.

Sue Loker, community safety officer at Ely police station, said: “The most obvious sign is a group of vehicles parked in a rural location, they will usually be estate cars, four wheel drives or vans. There may also be evidence of dogs having been in the vehicle.

“Hare coursers are criminals and give no consideration to landowners property or crops, therefore we urge you to report any suspicious behaviour to the police to help protect our countryside and landowners property.”

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity is advised to call the police on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.