Hare coursers are not welcome in Essex

Hare coursers are not welcome in Essex and our rural engagement officers work with farmers, gamekeepers and estate staff to help protect their property and prosecute offenders.

They provide advice on how to prevent hare coursers from getting on to farmland and they encourage the reporting of hare coursers and hare coursing activity to police.

Sergeant Ben Felton says:

“Hare coursing is a crime. If you see it happening, call 999 as it is a rural emergency. Provide as much information as you can but do not confront hare coursers or put yourself at risk.
“If you are a landowner, you can help prevent hare coursers accessing your land by blocking entrances, locking gates or digging ditches. You will find more helpful information on the Essex Police website by searching for Rural Crime.”

Reports of hare coursing in Essex have dropped by 62.8% in the past three years to 130 in the 12 months to 31 August 2024.

Ben says:

“We make use of the police helicopter to help officers on the ground to trace and track suspects and our team has a drone which can also assist.
“We seize vehicles and dogs involved in hare coursing where we can and we work closely with neighbouring forces and the CPS to ensure that hare coursers are brought to justice where we have the evidence.”

Hare coursing: how you can 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 police, who 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.

And, if you have information about this type of criminal activity, report it online, where you can also use Live Chat, or ring 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Read about the work of our Rural Engagement Team and the specialist crime prevention advice they can provide.

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