Cambridgeshire Constabulary have sent a powerful message to hare coursers in the county using this shocking video.

A clip of a grey 4x4 being violently crushed and destroyed was shared by the force on its social media pages today (April 21) along with a simple caption of: “Officers have the power to seize your vehicle if you take part in hare coursing. This is what could happen as a result.”

Over 830 cases of the illegal sport that has blighted the county were reported between October 2016 and January this year, with five dogs and 31 vehicles seized and 73 people reported for coursing during that period.

The police re-launched the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) – a group of officer dedicated to fighting hare coursing and rural theft - in April last year.

Chief Inspector James Sutherland said: “Tackling hare coursing is a priority for the Rural Crime Action Team. It can damage crops, harm animal welfare and threaten the rural economy. At times it is also linked to threatening behaviour and even violence.

“Officers have off-road vehicles at their disposal and air support from the police helicopter. We have been using dispersal powers and will continue to seek to prosecute coursers wherever possible.

“We want the rural community to know that we are behind them and that we are taking the issue incredibly seriously. Our goal is simple - we want to drive hare coursing out of Cambridgeshire.”