Uttlesford farmers urged to speak out

ESSEX POLICE is urging farmers in Uttlesford to speak out if they suspect their land is being used for illegal hare coursing. The call for information has been made by officers at the force s Wildlife Crime Unit who believe that incidents may be going unr

ESSEX POLICE is urging farmers in Uttlesford to speak out if they suspect their land is being used for illegal hare coursing.

The call for information has been made by officers at the force's Wildlife Crime Unit who believe that incidents may be going unreported.

Pc Andy Long, the wildlife crime co-ordinator, said: "I am often told that farmers do not inform us that they are suffering with hare coursing as they believe we are not interested. But we are and this is a chance to let us know the real extent of the problem."

Now police and the Essex Biodiversity Project group have joined forces to produce a leaflet entitled 'Hare Today...Gone Tomorrow. Brown hares and illegal coursing in Essex'.

It seeks the views of the public about any problems caused by hare coursers. There is a pullout section with a number of questions to be returned to the wildlife crime unit.

Members of any Essex farm watch scheme will receive the leaflet in the post, otherwise it is available at local police stations.

"The information obtained will help us correctly utilise resources to tackle the problem," added Pc Long.

Essex Police wildlife crime unit can be contacted on 0300 333 4444 or by email to wildlife@essex.pnn.police.uk