Rural Crime Crackdown Sees Hare Coursing Plunge
Kent Police and six neighbouring forces have teamed up in a bold move to smash rural crime. Since September, borders between Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Kent have been wiped clean for certain police tactics, making it far easier to nab offenders.
One Force, One Fight
Thanks to an agreement backed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), these seven forces now act as one when tackling crimes like hare coursing. This joint effort has supercharged the use of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), dog seizures, and shared intelligence on suspects.
- The collaboration feeds into the national Operation Galileo, aimed at eradicating hare coursing.
- Reports of hare coursing in the region have tanked by 31% over the last six months.
- Kent alone saw a massive 37% fall, with 194 fewer incidents compared to the previous year.
“By working collaboratively, we’ve been significantly more effective,” said Sgt Darren Walshaw of Kent Police Rural Task Force. “We’ll keep pushing to cut illegal coursing, lamping, and poaching even further.”
Hare Coursing: The Dirty Downfall of Rural Britain
Hare coursing kicks off from September when freshly ploughed fields provide the perfect battleground for this illegal blood sport. It wrecks crops, cruelly harms wildlife, and terrorises rural communities, sparking intimidation and violence.
Farmers and landowners are urged to protect their fields by blocking entrances using ditches, fencing, trees, or even concrete-filled barrels.
CPS Cracks Down on Wildlife Crime
Sally Robinson, District Crown Prosecutor, said:
“Hare coursers have exploited police borders for too long, causing suffering to hares and rural communities alike. This joint legal and policing effort has built stronger cases and made life harder for offenders.”
“The CPS takes wildlife crime seriously and will work tirelessly with police to bring these criminals to justice.”
Spot Hare Coursing? Here’s What to Do
- If you witness hare coursing in action, call 999 immediately. Note descriptions of people, vehicles, registration numbers, and travel direction.
- Do not confront offenders—your safety is paramount.
- For non-urgent info or if you’ve been a victim, ring 101 or report it via Kent Police’s website.
