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Written question asked by Baroness Helic (Conservative) on Monday, 7 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Thursday, 17 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Hare Coursing

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government how many people have been (1) arrested, (2) prosecuted, and (3) convicted, for offences related to hare coursing in each of the last five years; and what assessment have they made of trends in illegal hare coursing during this period.

Answer

Hare coursing remains a national wildlife crime priority and is one of the offences for which police forces most frequently seek support from the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). Defra is providing £530,000 to the NWCU in 2026/27, strengthening its intelligence, data analysis and financial investigation capabilities to help disrupt criminal networks, identify illicit profits, and bring offenders to justice.

New sentencing guidelines for hare coursing came into force on 1 June 2026. These should help ensure the courts fully recognise the significant harm and intimidation this serious crime poses to wildlife, farmers, and others across rural areas.

This Government cannot confirm offending levels as hare coursing is not a ‘notifiable crime’. Hare coursing can also be ‘hidden’ under notifiable offences such as criminal damage if it has taken place as part of the same incident.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3166
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Arrests Convictions Hare coursing Prosecutions
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk