MPs lobbied over rural crime

MPs have been asked to allow the police to reclaim the costs of keeping dogs confiscated from hare coursers in kennels.

It came up when National Farmer’s Union (NFU) members from Lincolnshire went to the House of Commons recently to lobby Lincolnshire MPs about the issues surrounding rural crime.

The meeting, which was chaired jointly by NFU national vice president Guy Smith and Boston Skegness Matt Warman, was aimed at making MPs more aware of the difficulties faced by police in rural parts of Lincolnshire and the effects it has on rural communities.

A spokesman for the NFU said: “There was a useful discussion during which a number of proposals were put to MPs, one aimed at reclaiming the cost of kennelling for dogs seized as part of crimes committed.

“Currently the police budget is put under great strain for bearing the costs of kennelling dogs seized from those caught hare coursing in the county

“Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor and Police and Crime Commissioner, Marc Jones both attended the meeting and were keen to maximise their limited budget in favour of increasing police presence across Lincolnshire.”