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Cambridgeshire Constabulary has joined forces with neighbouring counties to re-launch a major operation targeting hare coursing and rural crime.
Working under the banner of Operation Galileo, officers from Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire are coordinating with the National Police Air Service (NPAS) to step up patrols, share intelligence and deploy advanced technology against offenders.
The initiative was formally launched on 12 September at Fowlmere Airstrip, close to the counties’ borders. Rural crime teams gathered with NPAS to signal a united front, warning that criminals exploiting farmland for illegal hare coursing would be pursued regardless of county lines.
Hare coursing, banned under the Hunting Act 2004 and reinforced by the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, remains a persistent issue across the east of England. Police say it is often linked to wider criminality, including damage to crops, intimidation of farmers and dangerous driving.
Key measures under the new crackdown include coordinated enforcement across borders, air support to track suspects in real time, and the deployment of specialist rural crime officers to secure prosecutions.
Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from Cambridgeshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team, said the partnership made clear that offenders would not find refuge in county divisions.
“This joint initiative sends a clear message: we are not prepared to tolerate this behaviour. Borders do not protect offenders — and they do not restrict our ability to work together to stop them.”
Sergeant Tom Nuttall.
Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team echoed the sentiment. Sergeant Paul Brady described hare coursing as not only an animal welfare issue but a major concern for residents.
“By combining resources and expertise across force boundaries, we are better placed to prevent offences, support victims, and pursue those responsible through the courts.”
Sergeant Paul Brady.
Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Rural Operational Support Team added that the impact on rural communities was significant. Sergeant Alex Winning said: “This joint approach enables us to remove even more barriers between forces and act swiftly when offences occur.”
NPAS will play a central role in the crackdown, providing aerial surveillance and evidence-gathering. Sergeant Kevin Flinn stressed that air support would help track down offenders who, he said, remain a “constant blight” on rural communities.
Police hope that the renewed partnership will deter offenders and reassure farming communities that rural crime remains a priority.
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