Seven police forces in eastern England have removed their force borders in relation to the use of certain powers in a bid to crack down on hare coursing. This means that Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk police become one when using certain powers and will assist in the sharing of intelligence.

The new measures mean that if someone is involved in three incidents of antisocial behaviour linked to hare coursing they will be prosecuted, irrespective of where they commit the offences. This will allow the prosecution to apply for orders following conviction which can include driving bans and seizures of dogs and vehicles.

Hare coursing, which is the target of the national Operation Galileo, traditionally begins in September when the fields have been harvested and ploughed. Hares are then more exposed when using the fields and are able to be chased by lurcher type dogs that hunt by sight. Bets are often placed on the result of the chase and hare coursers are often involved in other crimes and have the potential to be violent.

It is good to see that finally some ‘joined up’ action against a wildlife crime is taking place and we will watch the results with interest.