OFFENDERS who are suspected to be behind numerous hare coursing hunts in Rochford are being tracked down, police have warned.

Essex Police officers visited the RSPB Wallasea nature reserve on Sunday to investigate, after members of the public raised the alarm.

A host of incidents have been reported across Rochford this year, including several at the nature reserve.

Members at the site were able to pass on photos and registration numbers to the police, and the owners of any vehicles believed to be involved have been contacted.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “On Easter Sunday, PCSO Tracey Johnson and RSPB Assistant Warden Simon Carpenter teamed up for some multi-agency work at Wallasea RSPB site to patrol the area and look at ways to reduce unwanted rural crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Hare coursing incidents have been reported across the Rochford district area and unfortunately there have been a couple of incidents of this nature believed to be going on at the RSPB site.

“Luckily, vigilant RSPB members and visitors were able to supply PCSO Johnson with photos of the persons possibly involved, and car registration numbers. The information was collated and input on Police intelligence systems.

“Letters were sent out to the vehicle owners and insured parties informing them that they had been seen in suspicious circumstances where rural crime is not tolerated.”

HARE coursing incidents across Rochford are being investigated by police, including several instances on a RSPB site.

Last February Essex Police launched Operation Galileo to raise awareness on the dangers of Hare coursing, and reduce its frequency in the county.

But back in 2017, there were more than 500 instances of hare coursing reported - marking a significant increase on the number of offences the previous year in Essex.