Villagers across Fenland including Manea, Wimbington, Doddington, Stonea, Tipps End terrorised by ‘shocking criminality’ wrought by hare coursers

Villagers, farmers, and business owners are invited to attend a public meeting following a spate of “shocking criminality” across Fenland yesterday.

Local MP Steve Barclay together with Manea Cllr Charlie Marks have called the meeting, which is being held at Manea Royal British Legion tomorrow at 4pm.

The call has been made following incidents that saw hare courses travelling in as many as 15 cars terrorising the villages of Manea, Wimblington, Doddington, Welney, Stonea, Tipps End, and across Fenland.

Residents posted about near misses involving the groups of cars travelling at speed through the villages, while farmers have been left counting the cost as the vehicles churned up fields.

Complaints also included the gang driving two abreast forcing other drivers off the road, the drivers of the hare coursing cars and their passengers masked.

One person described it has “terrifying”, while another said it was pure luck that no one was hurt in the incidents.

Posting on his Facebook page Mr Barclay said: “Following the shocking criminality in Manea, Wimblington and across Fenland yesterday in which multiple cars were driven at high speed, vehicles damaged, a store robbed, and lives put at risk, Cllr Charlie Marks and I have arranged a public meeting at the Royal British Legion in Manea tomorrow at 4pm to enable residents to meet and discuss our concerns following these events with the police.

“I have spoken already with the Police and Crime Commissioner Darrly Preston, with the Fenland Area Commander Ben Preston, with Fenland Council Leader Chris Boden, with Cllr Tim Taylor, and with some of the residents directly affected.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner has confirmed he will attend the meeting tomorrow, as will Charlie, Tim, and myself. We need to ensure those responsible for these appalling crimes are robustly tracked down and prosecuted, and lessons are learned from what happened. It is clear this was organised criminals trying to hide their identity and they will do it again if not found.

“I hope those residents affected by yesterday’s events will attend the meeting tomorrow so your concerns can be heard by the Polce Commissioner and others. It will also be an opportunity to discuss rural policing more widely and raise specific points with the police regarding rural crime and the challenges faced by rural communities.”