POLICE forces are banding together to tackle illegal hare coursing.

Essex Police will work with patrols across the border in Hertfordshire to the north of the district to catch coursers, who set dogs to chase hares, often gambling on which one will reach it first.

The force's wildlife crime officer, Pc Andy Long, said: “We take reports of hare coursing very seriously.

“We recognise that the offenders travel across counties to commit this crime and as a police service, we need to work together to tackle this problem.”

Anyone with information on hare coursing should call police on 0300 3334444.