Essex Police seize dogs and cars in hare coursing crackdown

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 22:09 · Archive

Essex Police reported five men for alleged hare coursing in Dengie marshes on 28 October, seizing four dogs and four vehicles.

Essex Police reported five men for alleged hare coursing in the Dengie marshes on Wednesday, 28 October. Officers, the force's Dog Section and a National Police Air Service helicopter were deployed after receiving several reports at about 8am that morning. The men, aged in their 20s and 30s, came from Basildon, Cambridgeshire, London and Northamptonshire.

Four dogs and four vehicles believed to be linked to the alleged offence were seized during the operation. Three other people are due to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Hare coursing is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004.

Inspector Terry Jacobs, of Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team, said hare coursing can have a devastating impact on rural communities. 'It causes distress to farmers and landowners, damages land and crops and puts wildlife at risk. We are committed to tackling this criminal activity and pursuing those responsible.'

Inspector Jacobs emphasised that residents' information helps officers respond quickly to incidents. 'We rely heavily on our rural communities being our eyes and ears – information provided promptly by the public enables officers to respond quickly to hare coursing incidents.' He urged anyone spotting suspicious activity near farmland to contact police immediately, but warned them not to take risks.

Essex Police said its neighbourhood officers and Rural Engagement Team are working with farmers, landowners and rural communities to prevent hare coursing and other rural crime.

Essex Police seize dogs and cars in hare coursing crackdown — Image: Colchester Gazette

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How it is being reported

Four dogs and cars seized by police in Essex crackdown on hare coursingEssex Police report five men over alleged hare coursing in Dengie marshes on October 28, seizing four dogs and four vehicles in a rural crime crackdown.Colchester Gazette · 29 Oct, 15:25
Four dogs and cars seized by police in Essex crackdown on hare coursingEssex Police report five men over alleged hare coursing in Dengie marshes on October 28, seizing four dogs and four vehicles in a rural crime crackdown.Echo (Basildon) · 29 Oct, 15:25
Four dogs and cars seized by police in Essex crackdown on hare coursingEssex Police report five men over alleged hare coursing in Dengie marshes on October 28, seizing four dogs and four vehicles in a rural crime crackdown.Brentwood Guardian · 29 Oct, 15:25

In this story: Essex Police · Dengie marshes · Basildon · Cambridgeshire · London · Northamptonshire · Terry Jacobs · National Police Air Service

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