Five people were arrested yesterday on suspicion of hare coursing, police have said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sgt Brian Calver of the rural crime team in Suffolk Picture: SARAH CHAMBERSSgt Brian Calver of the rural crime team in Suffolk Picture: SARAH CHAMBERS (Image: Archant)

The arrests followed a report from a member of the public in the Ixworth Thorpe area of dogs chasing hares in the vicinity.

Officers from Suffolk police attended and arrested five men around 1.30pm.

MORE: Intimidating tactics by hare coursing gangs are getting worse, police warnThree 25 year olds, a 24-year-old and a 21-year-old were then taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

All five have been subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Hare coursing is most common between September and March.

Earlier this year, Sgt Brian Calver, from Suffolk police’s rural crime team, said a scheme was up and running in Suffolk to provide free top soil for farmers to build earth barriers or bunds to protect entrances to their fields.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact rwp@suffolk.pnn.police.uk