POLICE have cracked down on illegal hare coursing with the launch of a targeted operation.

Operation Galileo is the Lincolnshire Police response to illegal activity by hare coursers who, over the autumn and winter months, travel to Lincolnshire from around the country to hunt hares with dogs.

The operation consists of dedicated wildlife crime officers and other officers from the Lincolnshire Police Operational Support Department.

On Saturday there were 13 reported incidents of illegal coursing, although some of these reports were duplicate reports of the same incident.

Five men were arrested and another five men reported for summons, all for offences under the Game Act and the Hunting Act, with one being further arrested for obstructing police.

The men were mainly from the Lancashire and Cheshire areas.

All arrested have been released on police bail pending Crown Prosecution Service advice.