Officers from East and North Herts came together at the weekend for a cross border operation to tackle hare coursing.

Incidents traditionally increase as the harvest comes to an end across the countryside, leaving wide open fields for criminals to target.

Not only is it cruel, but it can also have a devastating impact on farmers’ livelihoods, due to the extensive damage it causes to farmland, crops and access points such as gates. Farmers or landowners who challenge offenders can often be subject to intimidation.  

Proactive patrols were conducted in rural areas by officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams on Sunday (29 September). 

Quad bikes were utilised to help cover off-road areas more effectively and provide a visible presence to deter anyone thinking of carrying out criminal activity.

Several vehicles were stopped to ensure that everything was in order and advice was also given to landowners.

Sgt David Miller, who organised the operation, said: “We want to make sure we are doing all we can to support our rural communities and to stamp out this kind of criminality, which has such a distressing impact on our hardworking farmers. Thankfully, we didn’t see any sign of criminal activity during the operation.

“Reducing incidents of hare coursing is a current neighbourhood policing priority for the East Herts Rural team and these patrols and proactive days of action will continue.”

If you witness hare coursing taking place, please dial 999 immediately, giving as much information as possible about any vehicles involved.