Essex Police

Documenting reported incidents and demanding accountability for illegal hunting activities within the Essex Police area.

A total of 34 incidents have been reported in the Essex Police region since January 2023.

Incidents in the Essex Police Area.

Contact your local MP

Hunts are causing havoc, distress and carnage across the British countryside.
The incidents recorded on this page fall under six key categories:

Licence Plate Issues

Many hunt quad bikes are missing, obscuring, or illegally altering number plates, making them difficult to trace.

Passenger Hazards

Overloading quad bikes with multiple riders is dangerous and illegal unless the vehicle is specifically designed for passengers.

Road/Traffic Hazards

This includes reckless driving, riding on public roads without insurance, trespassing, and obstructing traffic.

Hounds out of control

When hounds are not properly controlled they ignore commands, trespass, stray unsupervised, chase (riot) on other animals, and are left behind—posing risks to themselves, the public, and wildlife.

Hunt trespass

Whether it’s hounds, riders, hunt staff, or support, hunts trespass by entering land without permission, including private property, nature reserves, housing estates, and livestock fields.

Hunt violence & intimidation

Hunts use aggression like verbal threats, physical assault, discriminatory remarks, and horses as weapons —in an attempt to stop people from watching them.

Are police forces enforcing the law? Hunt quad bikes must be registered, taxed, insured, and legally used on public roads. Hunting is not an agricultural activity, meaning hunts cannot claim farming exemptions.

Read more about the laws on quad bike use here.

Filter incidents:

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

South Suffolk Hunt Sabs

Location

Manor Farm, Semer

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

30/12/2023

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

East Herts Sabs

Location

Little Walden

Hunt

Puckeridge & Essex Union Hunt

Date

23/12/2023

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action For Wildlife

Location

Greenstead Green

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

13/12/2023

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

North London Hunt Sabs.

Location

Ongar

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex Hunt

Date

22/11/2023

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

South Suffolk Hunt Sabs

Location

St. Osyth 

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

14/10/2023

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

10/5/2023

Location

Sewards End

Hunt

 https://www.facebook.com/share/18ZnaFsu1i/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Date

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

8/30/2023

Location

St Osyth

Hunt

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=168760352912856&id=100093366760070&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=2zgfiAMxpJiot8E0#

Date

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

North London Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Fordham, Essex

Hunt

East Essex (now inactive)

Date

25/01/2022

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

North London Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Bute’s, Suffolk

Hunt

East Essex (now inactive)

Date

31/12/2022

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

Norwich Hunt Sabateurs b

Location

Barnston (kennels)

Hunt

Essex Hounds

Date

28/08/2021

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue, Quad bike has road/traffic hazard, Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

North London Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Magdalen Laver, Essex

Hunt

Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt

Date

20/11/2021

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue, Quad bike has road/traffic hazard, Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

North London Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Stubbers Farm Blackmore, Essex.

Hunt

Essex with Farmers and Union Hunt

Date

10/10/2020

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue, Quad bike has road/traffic hazard

Reported by

North London Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Red house, Braintree, Essex

Hunt

East Essex (now inactive)

Date

10/10/2020

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue

Reported by

Norwich Hunt Sabateurs

Location

White Roding

Hunt

Essex Hounds

Date

12/09/2020

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Norwich Hunt Sabs.

Location

Elmsett

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

14/12/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

North London Hunt Sabs & Suffolk and Essex hunt sabs

Location

Terling

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex Hunt

Date

03/12/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Peyton Hall

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

27/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs

Location

Cornish Hall

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex Hunt

Date

20/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk and Essex Hunt Sabs

Location

Kelvedon Hatch

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex Hunt

Date

02/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

South Suffolk Hunt Sabs.

Location

Dengewell Hall

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

02/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Dengewell Hall

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

02/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

South Suffolk Hunt Sabs.

Location

Dengewell Hall

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk Hunt

Date

02/11/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Hertfordshire Hunt Sabs

Location

Bois Hall

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex hunt

Date

23/10/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Dramesden

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

19/10/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Dramesden

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

19/10/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Lindsey

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

21/09/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

Suffolk Action for Wildlife.

Location

Essex

Hunt

Essex and Suffolk hunt

Date

04/09/2024

Evidence

View

Incident

Hounds out of control

Reported by

North Dorset Hunt Sabs.

Location

Radwinter

Hunt

Puckeridge and Essex Hunt

Date

01/02/2025

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue

Reported by

South Cambs Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Tiller End Farm, Westmill

Hunt

Puckeridge Hunt

Date

08/02/2020

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue

Reported by

South Cambs Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Whitensmere Farm, Steventon End near Ashdon

Hunt

Puckeridge Hunt

Date

16/10/2021

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

South Cambs Hunt Saboteurs

Location

White Barns south of Brent Pelham

Hunt

Puckeridge Hunt

Date

09/03/2019

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has road/traffic hazard

Reported by

South Cambs Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Tiller End Farm, Westmill

Hunt

Puckeridge Hunt

Date

08/02/2020

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

SES - Suffolk & Essex Hunt Sabs

Location

Hunt

East Essex (now inactive)

Date

31/12/2022

Evidence

View

Incident

Quad bike has licence plate issue, Quad bike has passenger hazard

Reported by

East Northants Hunt Saboteurs

Location

Puckeridge Hunt Kennels, Brent Pelham, Essex, and Hillend Farm, Hatfield, Herts.

Hunt

Puckeridge Hunt and Cambridgeshire Hunt with Enfield Chace

Date

11/03/2023

Evidence

View

Take Action: Demand Accountability

Join us in urging authorities to take action on these incidents and enforce the law. Your voice matters — help ensure hunts are held accountable.

Contact your local MP

Attributions

Constabulary badge: By https://www.essex.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/essex/about-us/force-plan/essex-police-force-plan-2024-26.pdf, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62466765

Map: By Nilfanion, Mirrorme22 – This file was derived from File:English administrative divisions 2010.svg by Nilfanion., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11923754

Use this template to send to your local police constabulary.

Dear Chief Constable [Surname],

I am writing to raise serious concerns about the widespread and ongoing violations of road traffic laws, reckless quad bike use, and the danger posed by out-of-control hunting hounds across [Police Force Region]. These persistent issues present significant public safety risks, disrupt communities, and undermine confidence in law enforcement when clear offences are ignored or unenforced.

The Problem: Recklessness and Lawbreaking by Hunts

For too long, organised hunts have operated with blatant disregard for road safety laws, putting motorists, pedestrians, animals, and property at risk. The most pressing issues include:

1. Quad Bike Law Violations

  • Unregistered and untaxed quad bikes being used illegally on public highways.
  • Quad bikes carrying multiple passengers in unsafe conditions, often without helmets or protective gear.
  • Reckless and dangerous use of quad bikes on roads and footpaths, frequently leading to near-misses or accidents.

2. Road and Traffic Hazards

  • Hunts obstructing roads and disrupting traffic, forcing vehicles into dangerous situations.
  • Hunt participants ignoring highway regulations, failing to control their vehicles properly, or acting aggressively towards other road users.

3. Hounds Loose on Roads – A Growing Danger

  • Hounds being abandoned or left behind, creating hazards for motorists and pedestrians.
  • Dogs running uncontrolled onto roads, leading to accidents, injuries, and unnecessary distress for local communities.
  • Hunts failing to take responsibility for their animals, leaving them to roam unsupervised and at risk.

The Evidence: HuntHavoc.info – Logging the Chaos

A growing body of evidence at HuntHavoc.info documents these repeated offences across the UK, categorised by police force. The database provides clear proof of non-enforcement in cases where hunts have broken the law without consequence.

The Request: Immediate Action and Accountability

I urge [Police Force Name] to take urgent and proactive enforcement action to tackle these recurring issues. Specifically, I request that:

  1. Quad bike regulations be properly enforced, ensuring that all vehicles are legally registered, taxed, and road-safe.
  2. Traffic laws be applied equally to hunt-related offences, with proper investigation and action taken against dangerous driving and road obstruction.
  3. Hound control be treated as a serious safety issue, with hunts held accountable for loose or abandoned dogs on roads.
  4. A clear reporting mechanism be established so the public can report hunt-related road safety violations easily and expect a timely response.
  5. Transparency and accountability measures be introduced to ensure police forces do not grant leniency or preferential treatment to hunting groups.

Hunts are not above the law, and continued failure to act only fuels public frustration and diminishes trust in policing. The dangers posed by reckless quad bike use and out-of-control hounds must be addressed before more accidents occur.

I request a formal response outlining the steps that [Police Force Name] intends to take regarding these matters. Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a timeline for planned enforcement actions or policy reviews concerning hunt-related road offences.

I look forward to your response and a firm commitment to ensuring accountability, enforcing the law, and protecting public safety.

Yours sincerely,