Police drone helps catch three people hare coursing

The special operation also targeted nuisance motorbikes and quads

A police drone was used to catch three people hare coursing, as part of crackdown on rural crime in East Cleveland.

The three males were caught on private farmland and later detained by police.

Hare coursing, where dogs are used to chase and kill hares, is illegal.

The three were issued with community protection warning letters, and one of them received a warning for possessing cannabis.

It happened as part of a special operation carried out last week, which also saw 16 vehicles stopped by mobile patrols.

One person had their vehicle seized for driving without insurance and was summoned to court, and another was fined for flouting parking restrictions.

Two of those who were stopped made off from police, and inquiries are ongoing.

Elsewhere, several people made off from teams in the Guisborough and Eston areas, as officers targeted poaching and nuisance motorbikes and quads.

More than 40 farms were also visited to allow farmers to discuss any concerns.

Ch Insp Jon Hagen, who leads on rural crime at Cleveland Police, praised the operation.

“This allowed us to provide reassurance, gather intelligence and take action against those intent on causing crime or anti-social behaviour in rural areas," he added.

Anyone with concerns can report rural crime and anti-social behaviour to the force.