Current timestamp: 25/03/2023 14:09:01
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

essex-logo-217

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Show of strength as rural officers target hare coursers

Main article content

Navigation

News

10:00 20/10/2022

7f-op-galileo-meet-npas_ 6179-151022-1024d
Rural policing officers from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk with a National Police Air Service helicopter

It’s the start of the hare coursing season and we’ve teamed up with neighbouring forces to combat this vicious crime.

Our Rural Engagement Team met with rural colleagues from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk at the Audley End Estate near Saffron Walden to share information and discuss tactics to tackle the cruelty of hare coursing and the organised crime groups which profit from it.  

Together with Hertfordshire, Kent and Norfolk, the seven forces in the Eastern Region pledged a year ago to work across policing borders and launched Operation Galileo to do exactly that.

Incidents of hare coursing across Essex and the other six force areas dropped to 1,415 in 2021-22 from 2,044 in 2020-21 – a fall of almost a third (31%).

Of course, there is still more to be done and the forces’ rural crime teams this year are working with the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter and using drones to improve their ability to spot hare courses in action.

“Operation Galileo shows that we are stronger together and during this coursing season we will be working more closely with NPAS to ensure that rural officers will be in the right place at the right time to catch the bad guys.
“Hare coursing happens in very rural, isolated areas and the helicopter crew or a drone can pinpoint suspects in fields and woodland, identify escape routes and then follow those responsible. Basically, they can direct officers on the ground to intercept the vehicles or people so officers can deal appropriately with any offences.
“We already have off-road capability and other vehicles to deal with offenders if they fail to stop for police but the addition of the helicopter to our drone capability is a valuable addition to our fleet.
“And, of course, we work closely with farmers, gamekeepers and estate staff, not only to locate those responsible but to advise on action they can take to prevent hare coursers being able to access their land in the first place.
“Hare coursing is cruel but there is also the huge cost to farmers and landowners when damage is caused to land, crops and furniture belonging to the land owner, when the land has just been seeded or the crops have just started to grow, it is at its most vulnerable as it's not strong enough to withstand being driven across, which compacts the ground and destroys the soil structure.

"This can’t easily be rectified and on occasions this action causes thousands of pounds worth of damage which the land owner has to foot the bill for.

PC Matt Harkness, of our Rural Engagement Team

ep-ret-audley-end_ 6223-151022-1024d
Officers from our Rural Engagement Team with staff from the Audley End Estate

“Rural communities are isolated and therefore feel very vulnerable when they are exposed to any type of crime but particularly things such as hare coursing, which can be accompanied by violence and intimidation of witnesses.
“So this ‘show of strength’ from rural policing teams across the region is aimed at providing reassurance while showing criminals that we mean business when it comes to keeping our communities safe and tackling crimes which affect them.”
Uttlesford Community Policing Team Sergeant Claire Bailey

Tom White is the Audley End Estate’s resident agent. He says it is so important for rural communities to work with the police to combat hare coursing and other rural crime.

“It’s the threat to farmers, gamekeepers and estate staff as well as to property. The attacks and vilification which come from hare coursers is a constant pressure.
“People living in remote areas don’t always know who’s about or what they are up to and criminals know this. There’s always the fear of retaliation so support from the police is such a reassurance.
“The sight of all the police officers, their vehicles and the helicopter ready to act on reports of hare coursing and other crime is such a huge lift for everybody.
“Cross-border co-operation is crucial to combat this barbaric crime and the people associated with it.”
Audley End Estate resident agent Tom White

After the meeting, our rural engagement team went out on patrol surrounding villages stopped three people on suspicion of trespassing in pursuit of game.

All three were initially detained and searched under the Poaching Prevention Act 1862. Then two men, aged 39 and 25, from London, were interviewed on suspicion of having committed offences under section 30 of the Game Act 1831. Officers also seized their vehicle.

A 14-year-old boy with them will be interviewed at a later date when an appropriate adult is present. The trio were stopped as they walked across crop fields, accompanied by four dogs. Our investigation continues.

 

Op Galileo tackles ‘borderless’ hare coursing

The seven forces of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk linked up in September 2021 to remove policing borders when certain tactics are used. This has made catching and prosecuting offenders easier.

The agreement, completed with the support of the Crown Prosecution Service, means the forces become one when using certain powers, such as community protection warnings & notices and criminal behaviour orders.

They also share information about automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), the seizure of dogs and all interactions and movements of people suspected to be involved in hare coursing.

 

What is hare coursing?

Hare coursing traditionally begins in September or October - depending on the weather - when crops have been harvested and ploughed, making them the perfect ground for the illegal blood sport.

Hare coursing causes damage to crops, harms animal welfare and threatens rural communities. It can result in intimidation and even violence.

Landowners are urged to consider blocking entrances to their fields with ditches, fencing or trees or even barriers like barrels filled with concrete.

 

What can I do to help?

If you see hare coursing taking place, ring 999 immediately and provide as much information as you can – for example, a What3Words location, a description of the people involved, vehicle registration numbers, vehicle descriptions and the location and direction of travel.

When the police give you a reference number, please put this and the day’s date into any WhatsApp groups you are a part of so that anyone in the area with information can ring us and we can link it to the same incident, if relevant.

However, it is very important that you don’t confront hare coursers or put yourself at risk.

If you see anything which you feel needs police attention, or you have information about a crime or criminal activity, always ring 999 if it is an emergency or a crime in progress.

Otherwise you can report it online where you can also speak to an online Live Chat operator between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.

For more information and advice on rural crime visit our Rural Crime webpages.

 

Do you want to help people, keep them safe and catch criminals?

This could be you. Catching criminals, delivering justice for victims, and protecting the vulnerable. Apply now and we'll be back in touch to start your journey the very next working day.

Find out if you #FitTheBill: www.essex.police.uk/apply

Share

More news this month

  • Dovercourt: Murderer jailed for life
  • Celebrating 20 years of Police Community Support Officers
  • Southend: More than 100 arrests made during Operation Union deployments
  • Colchester: Twin brothers and mum convicted in drug investigation
  • Four new Special Constables take their oaths
  • Still time to join Essex Police
  • Essex Search & Rescue mark 20 years of saving lives with Essex Police
  • Keeping our dogs safe in Essex

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Essex Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.