FIVE people have been arrested on suspicion of hare coursing in the region.

Essex Police Rural Engagement Team and local officers, supported by the force's Dog Section and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter, were deployed after the force received several reports of hare coursing in the afternoon of Saturday, 15 January.

Two men, aged 68 and 33, and a 37-year-old woman, all from Basildon, a 19-year-old man from Wickford and a 28-year-old man from Birstall in Leicestershire were all arrested on suspicion of trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs.

They have all been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Inspector Terry Jacobs, of the Rural Engagement Team, says: "Hare coursing is a big concern in our rural communities and we understand its effect on people.

"We encourage people to ring 999 if you see hare coursers in action. We work with the National Police Air Service and our dog handlers as well as local policing teams to arrest suspects."

In the 12 months to 16 February 2025, incidents of hare coursing in Essex reduced by 56% compared with the year to 16 February 2018.

Do you have information?

Essex Police have asked for help from residents, saying: "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 us and we can link it to the same incident, if relevant.

"However, it is very important that you don't confront hare coursers or put yourself at risk.

"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."

Otherwise, you can report it online at https://www.essex.police.uk/ro where you can also speak to an online Live Chat operator between 10am and 9pm. Alternatively, you can ring 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.

For more information and advice on rural crime visit the force's Rural Crime webpages at www.essex.police.uk/ruralcrime