Hertfordshire Constabulary has teamed up with six other police forces in the east of England in an effort to tackle hare coursing.

Hare coursing traditionally begins in September when the fields have been harvested and ploughed, making them the perfect ground for the illegal blood sport.

Hare coursing causes damage to crops, harms animal welfare and threatens the rural community. It can result in intimidation and even violence.

It is something rural officers in Hertfordshire would like to clamp down on - and it is hoped a new agreement will result in more prosecutions against offenders.

Officers in Hertfordshire have linked with colleagues in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, meaning all of the forces become one when it comes to tackling hare coursing.

Sergeant Ryan Hemmings, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s rural operational support team, explained: "The agreement effectively means that anyone caught committing anti-social behaviour (ASB) related to coursing, say in Norfolk, would be seen as also committing this in Hertfordshire.

"If the same person were to carry on their behaviour in Hertfordshire, proactive measures can take place using the ASB legislation, and if that same person was to continue for a third time, in say Bedfordshire, a prosecution can commence – alongside any other action as a result of earlier behaviour.

"I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach this agreement. It’s an important step forward in our ongoing efforts to tackle hare coursing and rid our rural areas of this cruel blood sport."

The new agreement will mean rural officers across the eastern region will have greater use of automatic number plate recognition, and the sharing of all interactions and movements of people suspected to be involved in hare coursing, which can lead to the seizure of dogs, as well as prosecution and conviction for anyone involved.

Anyone who sees hare coursing taking place is asked to contact police immediately on 999 and provide officers with a description of the people involved, any registration numbers, vehicle descriptions and the location and direction of travel. Police say it is important people don’t confront hare coursers or put themselves at risk.