After a meeting this afternoon Bill Skelly, Lincolnshire's Chief Constable has re-iterated his commitment to tackling the problem:
At a meeting with the NFU today, police were told that despite hare-coursing being a problem which has existed "for generations", current gangs are "more organised and more threatening" than before.
But police are confident things will improve:
Quote Message: We may not stop the problem completely but I am confident farmers will see a change for the better in the near future. from Bill Skelly Chief Constable for Lincolnshire Police
We may not stop the problem completely but I am confident farmers will see a change for the better in the near future.
For more on this story, tune into Look North at 18:30 tonight on BBC One.
Why not match these mums?
#PeoplesCup
Six months ago, many of these mums were just watching their kids play.
Now they're getting ready to play in the FA People's Cup....
It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday.
Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player.
National League leaders Lincoln City will aim to "achieve the impossible" against Premier League side Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round.
The Imps have reached the last 16 for the first time in 130 years.
Victory on Saturday would see them become the first non-league team to reach the quarter-finals since 1925.
Pony dies after "sickening" treatment by former owners
Nicola Gilroy
Presenter - BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Yesterday we covered the sad story about Lasso and Bullseye the ponies, they'd been taken to equine charity Bransby Horses after police found them in "sickening" condition.
In the last few minutes Bransby Horses have told us that Lasso (pictured) has died.
Bransby HorsesCopyright: Bransby Horses
Bransby took both ponies into care, Lasso was in a particularly bad condition.
Despite them giving him a plasma transfusion, he had fluid in his lungs and would have developed pneumonia.
Vets decided to put him to sleep this afternoon.
Quote Message: Lasso took a turn for the worst, and we had to put him down. It's just such a horrible end to what's been a horrible week. from Ryan Rouse Bransby Horses
Lasso took a turn for the worst, and we had to put him down. It's just such a horrible end to what's been a horrible week.
Grantham 'Time Team' discovery
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
It seems that Lincolnshire county council's budget couldn't quite stretch to get Tony Robinson in to unveil discoveries at the Grantham southern relief road...
But the council has published a video showcasing some "unexpected archaological finds" at the site of the new relief road.
LCCCopyright: LCC
Discoveries made include pottery, a cemetery, and remains of a house from Roman times and the Iron Age.
The Grantham relief road is soon entering the next phase of the project which will see the road linking the A1 with the current work on the A52.
Watch: This evening's weather
Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North
We'll have variable amounts of cloud with a few clear spells, and where these occur, some mist or fog patches may form. Most parts dry but further light rain over western hills is possible with lows of 7C (45F).
Here's my forecast:
County department store may close Lincoln and Gainsborough branches
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
Oldrids and Downtown says it may have to cease trading in Lincoln and Gainsborough.
BBCCopyright: BBC
The chain of stores - which began life in Boston in 1804 - has said that current "tough trading conditions" have led to the decision.
The group also says that because it doesn't own those premises outright that they may have to close.
95 staff work across the two shops; Oldrids & Downtown say staff will be taken through a consultation process.
Quote Message: Despite the unquestionable commitment and effort that the staff across both stores have made over the last 4 years we are sadly left with no alternative but to take this difficult decision. from Marcus Meadows Retail Operations Director - Oldrids & Downtown
Despite the unquestionable commitment and effort that the staff across both stores have made over the last 4 years we are sadly left with no alternative but to take this difficult decision.
Don't let Gary down!
Gary Lineker is urging people to take part in the #PeoplesCup:
It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday.
Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player.
If you've ever harboured that dream of being a landlord then this may be your chance...
Well, sort of.
The Sebastopol InnCopyright: The Sebastopol Inn
The community at Minting, near Horncastle, is rallying round their local pub to try to re-open it.
The Sebastopol Inn (pictured), closed last August and locals are now being given the chance to be shareholders.
They need £250,000 to save the former eatery and inn.
That's a lot of "steak-holders" to get the kitchen up an running again...
Quote Message: It's a beautiful historic pub, opposite the church and next to the village green...It's quite depressing considering the pub first opened in 1836." from Sarah Smith Secretary of Sebastopol Inn Community Pub Ltd
It's a beautiful historic pub, opposite the church and next to the village green...It's quite depressing considering the pub first opened in 1836."
Any Questions in Louth this evening
BBC Radio 4
Any Questions
BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme comes to Louth this evening.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Host Jonathan Dimbleby (pictured) will be taking questions from an audience at Louth town hall and present a debate with a panel of politicians and experts.
On tonight's panel are UKIP MP Douglas Carswell, the Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey MP, Labour peer Alf Dubs and the Groceries Code Ajudicator Christine Tacon.
The programme will be on at 20:00 GMT on Radio 4 and online here.
Football: Burnley 'mentally prepared' for Lincoln cup test
BBC Lancashire Sport
Burnley manager Sean Dyche says his players will be "mentally prepared" for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round tie against National League leaders Lincoln City.
Lincoln City could become the first non-league club to reach the last eight of the FA Cup since QPR in 1914.
The Clarets have lost just three of their last 29 home games.
Driver involved in ambulance crash dies
A driver who was involved in a crash with an ambulance in Lincolnshire has died.
BBCCopyright: BBC
It's been revealed by Lincolnshire Police that the man - who was driving a silver Vectra (pictured) at the time - was only admitted to hospital three weeks after the incident.
The accident also involved an ambulance, and black Toyata Prius and happened on the A607 at Waddington on 25 January.
Five people were injured - including the ambulance crew.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the driver of "a dark coloured vehicle" which was behind the silver Vectra in a line of traffic when it happened.
Quote Message: "I appeal for any witnesses to this collision who have not already spoken to the police to contact me. In particular, I would like the driver of the car following the silver Vauxhall Vectra to call me, as a witness, to help add to the information in our enquiry". from Insp Simon Heads Serious Collision Investigation Unit - Lincolnshire Police
"I appeal for any witnesses to this collision who have not already spoken to the police to contact me. In particular, I would like the driver of the car following the silver Vauxhall Vectra to call me, as a witness, to help add to the information in our enquiry".
Live Reporting
Harry Parkhill
All times stated are UK
Get involved
- Lincolnshire Police have faced criticism over rural crime, but are committing extra officers to the issue
- A man involved in a car crash with an ambulance has died, three weeks after the incident
- A Lincolnshire department store says it may have to close its branches in Lincoln and Gainsborough
- A pony which was rescued by a Lincolnshire horse charity has had to be put down
- And Lincoln City FC are training hard in preparation for their FA cup tie against Burnley tomorrow
View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter BBCCopyright: BBC Bransby HorsesCopyright: Bransby Horses LCCCopyright: LCC BBCCopyright: BBC BBC Victoria Derbyshire ShowCopyright: BBC Victoria Derbyshire Show - A driver from a car crash with an ambulance has died after a three week delay to being admitted to hospital
- Lincoln city fans and players are making their way to Burnley for their FA Cup tie tomorrow
- Police bosses are meeting with the farming union about concerns over rural crime
- A referendum on restructuring Lincolnshire's councils has been scrapped
- Bus stop improvements in North east Lincolnshire begin next week
View more on twitterView more on twitter - Six bus stops on Belvoir road, Cleethorpes
- Two bus stops on Taylor Avenue, Cleethorpes
- Two bus stops on Middlethorpe Road, Cleethorpes
- One bus stop on Stallingborough Road, Healing
The Sebastopol InnCopyright: The Sebastopol Inn BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest PostFive things we've learned today
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
That's the live coverage from our Lincolnshire newsroom today, but before we wrap up, here are a few things we didn't know this morning:
Watch: Look North headlines
Peter Levy
Presenter, BBC Look North
Just for you, here's a sneak peak at tonight's headlines from East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire:
Imps training hard ahead of FA Cup tie
Michael Hortin
Sports - BBC Radio Lincolnshire
You'd think they'd fancy a break after all this extra work... but the imps have been training hard ahead of their clash with Premiership side Burnley.
The team are currently preparing for their game on Blackburn Rovers training ground.
Their historic Fifth Round match in the FA cup kicks off at 12:30 tomorrow.
Lincolnshire police will commit extra people to tackle rural crime
BBC Look North
East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
We heard earlier from the NFU that police need to be "more mobile" to counter rural crime.
After a meeting this afternoon Bill Skelly, Lincolnshire's Chief Constable has re-iterated his commitment to tackling the problem:
At a meeting with the NFU today, police were told that despite hare-coursing being a problem which has existed "for generations", current gangs are "more organised and more threatening" than before.
But police are confident things will improve:
For more on this story, tune into Look North at 18:30 tonight on BBC One.
Why not match these mums?
#PeoplesCup
Six months ago, many of these mums were just watching their kids play.
Now they're getting ready to play in the FA People's Cup....
It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday.
Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player.
Find out all the details here.
Football: Imps aim for the 'impossible' in FA Cup
BBC Sport
National League leaders Lincoln City will aim to "achieve the impossible" against Premier League side Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round.
The Imps have reached the last 16 for the first time in 130 years.
Victory on Saturday would see them become the first non-league team to reach the quarter-finals since 1925.
Pony dies after "sickening" treatment by former owners
Nicola Gilroy
Presenter - BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Yesterday we covered the sad story about Lasso and Bullseye the ponies, they'd been taken to equine charity Bransby Horses after police found them in "sickening" condition.
In the last few minutes Bransby Horses have told us that Lasso (pictured) has died.
Bransby took both ponies into care, Lasso was in a particularly bad condition.
Despite them giving him a plasma transfusion, he had fluid in his lungs and would have developed pneumonia.
Vets decided to put him to sleep this afternoon.
Grantham 'Time Team' discovery
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
It seems that Lincolnshire county council's budget couldn't quite stretch to get Tony Robinson in to unveil discoveries at the Grantham southern relief road...
But the council has published a video showcasing some "unexpected archaological finds" at the site of the new relief road.
Discoveries made include pottery, a cemetery, and remains of a house from Roman times and the Iron Age.
If you fancy watching the full film have a look here.
The Grantham relief road is soon entering the next phase of the project which will see the road linking the A1 with the current work on the A52.
Watch: This evening's weather
Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North
We'll have variable amounts of cloud with a few clear spells, and where these occur, some mist or fog patches may form. Most parts dry but further light rain over western hills is possible with lows of 7C (45F).
Here's my forecast:
County department store may close Lincoln and Gainsborough branches
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
Oldrids and Downtown says it may have to cease trading in Lincoln and Gainsborough.
The chain of stores - which began life in Boston in 1804 - has said that current "tough trading conditions" have led to the decision.
The group also says that because it doesn't own those premises outright that they may have to close.
95 staff work across the two shops; Oldrids & Downtown say staff will be taken through a consultation process.
Don't let Gary down!
Gary Lineker is urging people to take part in the #PeoplesCup:
It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday.
Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player.
Find out all the details here.
MoD 'ill equipped to deal with PTSD' says partner of forces veteran
Harry Parkhill
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire
The partner of a forces veteran says the MoD and the NHS are "ill equipped" to treat post traumatic stress disorder.
Eileen Womersley from Heighington near Lincoln, says her partner suffered PTSD after several tours in Iraq.
She's been telling the Victoria Derbyshire show that her partner was told to "man up" and given sleeping pills in an attempt to treat her.
A study in the lancet says people serving in the armed forces aren't encouraged to talk about the condition and often suffer alone.
Eileen says the MOD and the NHS are ill equipped to deal with the complex issue:
Imps aim for the 'impossible' in FA Cup
National League leaders Lincoln City aim to "achieve the impossible" against Burnley in the FA Cup fifth round.
Read moreYour headlines this lunchtime
Corazon Garcia
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
The main stories making the news so far today
Snowdrops in North Lincs
Our colleagues at Look North have been snapping away at Elsham gardens.
It seems Winter may be finally behind us...
Bus stop improvements in north east Lincolnshire starting on Monday
North East Lincolnshire Council will be starting work on a number of bus stop improvements from Monday 20 February.
The locations affected are:
The upgrades will involve putting raised kerbs in place and a tactile crossing to improve accessibility and safety for bus passengers.
Those bus stops will be closed during the works and the full programme is expected to be complete by 31 March 2017.
Visit the council website for the latest live travel information in the borough, including congestion and road works.
Community hoping to get pub up and running again
Scott Dalton
Presenter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire
If you've ever harboured that dream of being a landlord then this may be your chance...
Well, sort of.
The community at Minting, near Horncastle, is rallying round their local pub to try to re-open it.
The Sebastopol Inn (pictured), closed last August and locals are now being given the chance to be shareholders.
They need £250,000 to save the former eatery and inn.
That's a lot of "steak-holders" to get the kitchen up an running again...
Any Questions in Louth this evening
BBC Radio 4
Any Questions
BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme comes to Louth this evening.
Host Jonathan Dimbleby (pictured) will be taking questions from an audience at Louth town hall and present a debate with a panel of politicians and experts.
On tonight's panel are UKIP MP Douglas Carswell, the Environment Minister, Thérèse Coffey MP, Labour peer Alf Dubs and the Groceries Code Ajudicator Christine Tacon.
The programme will be on at 20:00 GMT on Radio 4 and online here.
Football: Burnley 'mentally prepared' for Lincoln cup test
BBC Lancashire Sport
Burnley manager Sean Dyche says his players will be "mentally prepared" for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth round tie against National League leaders Lincoln City.
Lincoln City could become the first non-league club to reach the last eight of the FA Cup since QPR in 1914.
The Clarets have lost just three of their last 29 home games.
Driver involved in ambulance crash dies
A driver who was involved in a crash with an ambulance in Lincolnshire has died.
It's been revealed by Lincolnshire Police that the man - who was driving a silver Vectra (pictured) at the time - was only admitted to hospital three weeks after the incident.
The accident also involved an ambulance, and black Toyata Prius and happened on the A607 at Waddington on 25 January.
Five people were injured - including the ambulance crew.
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the driver of "a dark coloured vehicle" which was behind the silver Vectra in a line of traffic when it happened.