TWO men from Tilbury have been issued with legal orders after police received reports of hare coursing in fields near Good Easter, which is in the heart of rural Essex just north west of Chelmsford.

Following these reports, the two men were tracked by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter on 25 November.

The crew assisted Uttlesford Local Policing Team officers in tracking the men across open fields near the A1060. The men had two dogs with them on leads.

Officers from Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team also attended and interviewed the two men at the scene.

A 36-year-old and a 28-year-old, who had previously been warned about hare coursing, were issued with community protection notices which run for three years. CPNs tell people they must stop certain behaviour or risk further action.

The two men were also reported for hare coursing offences and their vehicle was seized under section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to preserve evidence to assist with our enquiries. 

Sergeant Paul Brady, of Essex Police Rural Engagement Team, says the two men had ignored community protection warnings issued in August for hare coursing, which is why they have now been issued with CPNs.

He said: "Breaches of community protection notices can lead to fines or criminal prosecution.

"Hare coursing is illegal and is often linked to organised crime. We know it causes significant harm to wildlife and involves trespassing and threats to farmers and landowners.

"We are committed to tackling these crimes and associated anti-social behaviour, and to protecting our rural communities."

In this case, the CPNs warn the recipients that their conduct is 'unreasonable' and 'having a detrimental effect … on the quality of life of those in the locality.

'The particular issues are illegal coursing, lamping and poaching, trespassing in search of game and the anti-social behaviour that these activities bring in Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk,' the notices state.

The recipients must comply with the following conditions to prevent the 'detrimental effect' of their conduct from continuing or reoccurring:

• Not to be in possession of, or be in control of, or be in the company of any dog on private land without the owner's written permission
• When in possession of, in control of or in the company of any dog, said dog must be on a lead
• Not to be in a vehicle with any dog while outside a five-mile radius of your home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment
• Not to be in possession of a catapult or shot, such as ball bearing, and/or an air weapon or any part of an air weapon

The seven police forces of Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk work closely together, and with the National Police Air Service, to combat hare coursing activities across county borders in eastern England under the 7Force Operation Galileo banner.

Do you have information for Police?

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 put yourself at risk, say police, who add: "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.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call police on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."