Police have received around a dozen reports of the illegal bloodsport hare coursing taking place in Leicestershire and Rutland in the past month.

Last week, five men were arrested and two vehicles seized following two suspected incidents.

Hare coursing, which was made illegal by the Hunting With Dogs Act, 2005, often sees large amounts of money changing hands betting on the dogs chasing hares.

Farm workers spotted three men and five dogs in a field off the A606 Melton to Oakham road at Dalby crossroads between Burton Lazars and Whissendine on the Leicestershire-Rutland border, last Tuesday.

They tried to block the men's Ford Transit into a lay-by while they called the police, but pulled back when, it is alleged, the vehicle was driven at one of them.

Keeping the police informed by mobile phone, the farm workers then followed the van to Whissendine Road, in Ashwell, where the three men were arrested by officers.

Police had earlier received a call from a woman driving along the A606 who had also spotted the men and their dogs at around 8am on Tuesday.

Sgt Jo Hodson, of Melton police, said: "A witness called in to say she had driven past three men and five dogs she believed were hare coursing at Whissendine.

"A vehicle the men were in was parked in a lay-by. We would like to thank the motorist and the farm workers for getting involved and calling us."

The three men, from Stoke-on-Trent, were released on police bail until January 19, while inquiries continue.

On Friday, two men were arrested on suspicion of hare coursing at Langham, near Oakham.

The two men, who are also from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested and taken to a police station in Leicester for questioning.

Leicestershire police wildlife officer Neil Hughes said: "We've had a number of calls to deal with reports of hare coursing in the past few weeks. This is about the time of year for it.

"We've had 10 or 12 cases reported in Rutland and the Vale of Belvoir up towards the border with Lincolnshire, where it is a big problem."

A spokeswoman for the National Farmers' Union said: "We would normally advise people to stay clear and not approach people involved in this activity, which is often done for illegal betting linked to organised crime where large amounts of money change hands. We do ask people to take vehicle details if they can."

Police have appealed to farmers and people out walking in the countryside to report anything suspicious by calling them on the non-emergency 101 number.