Police officers who have been patrolling rural villages in the Maldon district seized the vehicle of a suspected hare courser this week.

The rural engagement team at Essex Police said they found the man, who they suspected was hare coursing, while patrolling in Bradwell-on-Sea on Wednesday (2 March).

They seized the vehicle of the man, who they said had travelled from Hampshire to the Dengie village.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "The rural engagement team were in Bradwell-on-Sea when they located a man who they suspected was hare coursing - who had travelled from Hampshire.

"The officers dealt with the suspected criminal offences and seized his vehicle."

Hare coursing is a blood sport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares. It is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004.

The force implemented Operation Galileo in the county efforts to tackle hare coursing in February 2017.

The operation initially focussed on patrols in the Dengie and Uttlesford as two predominantly rural areas of Essex where hare coursing tends to be reported most often.

Officers work closely with Maldon and Dengie Farm Watch, which has grown to around 70 members since being established in 2013 to tackle rural crime.

The spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We will continue to patrol rural areas to prevent and deter hare coursing, so please contact us if you witness hare coursing or have any information."

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