Three dogs have been seized and a man has been issued a community protection warning after reports of a deer being chased.
The incident took place on October 11, when Essex Police’s rural engagement team responded to reports of a deer being chased by dogs in a field in Panfield.
Four men were stopped and searched at the scene.
A car and three dogs inside were seized under section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, on suspicion of being used in crime.
A 28-year-old man was issued a community protection warning (CPW), which will remain in place for three years.
He was also interviewed and reported for consideration of prosecution under the Hunting Act 2004, on suspicion of knowingly permitting a dog to be used to hunt a wild mammal.
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PC Dane Wyatt, a rural engagement officer, said: "We take all reports of deer coursing and hare coursing seriously.
"They are often linked to organised crime and involve trespassing, cruelty to animals and threats to farmers and landowners.
"Even if we can’t prove an offence has taken place, we can still take positive action.
"If a CPW is ignored, the next step is a community protection notice which, if breached, can lead to fines or criminal prosecution.
"Courts also take breaches seriously when dealing with such cases."
The CPW states that the man’s behaviour is "unreasonable" and "having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality."
It specifically refers to illegal coursing, lamping and poaching, trespassing in search of game, and the associated anti-social behaviour.
The warning covers activities across Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Police forces across these counties work together to tackle illegal coursing, supported by the National Police Air Service.
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