Essex Police increases efforts to combat hare coursing across rural Essex
Essex Police increases efforts to combat hare coursing across rural Essex
Essex Police is intensifying its efforts to combat hare coursing, reaffirming its commitment to protecting rural communities throughout the county.
Superintendent Darren Deex is leading the charge, saying, “We are making Essex a hostile environment for hare coursers.”
On 9th July, officers from the Rural Engagement Team and neighbourhood policing teams visited Lindsell to demonstrate their tactics and resources for fighting hare coursing and other rural crimes.
The visit provided a platform to engage with farmers, landowners, and members of rural communities, offering crime prevention advice ahead of the hare coursing season, which typically begins post-harvest when fields are left bare.
Superintendent Deex noted that Lindsell has witnessed disproportionate levels of hare coursing over the last 18 months. In response, Essex Police has developed a targeted strategy by collaborating closely with farmers, landowners, and rural community members, focusing on prevention and enforcement.
Hare coursing significantly impacts wildlife, damages farmland, gates, fences, and crops, leading to financial losses and increased insurance premiums for farmers and landowners, while instilling fear within rural areas.
Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team is enhancing officer training programmes on response and neighbourhood policing, emphasising the powers available to disrupt and deter hare coursers.
When reports of hare coursing surface, Essex Police is equipped with the NPAS helicopter, a new drone, and thermal imaging binoculars for suspect tracking.
Additionally, two 4x4 vehicles have been added to improve off-road capabilities in Uttlesford.
“If you come to Essex to course hares, we will use every power available to us to investigate, disrupt and prosecute you. We will seek to seize your dogs, vehicles, and any equipment suspected to be used in hare coursing and you should expect significant penalties.” Superintendent Deex explained.
Essex Police is actively participating in Operation Galileo, a national initiative joining forces with neighbouring police teams and partners to share information, conduct patrols, and tackle offenders.
Superintendent Deex emphasised the significance of community involvement, saying, “Information from the public is vital. We use community intelligence to identify hotspots, deploy patrols, take action against offenders, and target crime prevention work.”
He urged the public to report hare coursing and suspicious activity without putting themselves in harm's way, emphasising that community support remains a key factor in effectively reducing rural crime in Essex.