Essex

Bird netting is causing distress and harm to birds across the British countryside.
Documenting reported incidents and demanding accountability for harmful bird netting within the Essex area.

A total of 11 incidents have been reported in the Essex region since January 2023.

Incidents in the Essex Area.

Submit Your Evidence

If you see a live bird trapped in netting, take immediate action.

  • Visit our “Need to Know” page for guidance on what to do and how to help safely.
  • In the meantime, contact a local wildlife rescue organisation as soon as possible (this will be edited at a later date with a rescue in that areas contact)
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Incident

Case

Netting at Southend hospital

Date reported

16-05-2026

Species

Afew

Number trapped

5

Fate

Some dead some alive

Location

Southend hospital, Southend-on-sea

Species protected status

Reported to

Not yet

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

pigeon to be shot, b&q southend, trapped behind netting

Date reported

25-04-2026

Species

pigeon

Number trapped

1

Fate

to be shot

Location

b&q southend, Fossetts Way, Eastern Avenue, Southend-On-Sea, Essex, SS2 4DQ., Southend-on-sea

Species protected status

Reported to

wild life groups

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Pigeon trapped in netting

Date reported

18/11/2022

Species

Pigeon

Number trapped

1

Fate

Location

W Thurrock Way, West Thurrock, Grays

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Herring Gulls trapped in netting

Date reported

20/05/2025

Species

Herring Gulls

Number trapped

8

Fate

Location

Walton-on-the-Naze

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Pigeons trapped in netting

Date reported

14/07/2025

Species

Pigeons

Number trapped

6

Fate

Location

Southend

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Jackdaws trapped in netting

Date reported

23rd July 2025

Species

Jackdaw

Number trapped

28

Fate

Location

Clacton-on-Sea

Species protected status

Reported to

Police

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Magpie trapped in netting

Date reported

27/09/2025

Species

Magpie

Number trapped

1

Fate

Location

Southend

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Pigeons trapped in netting

Date reported

27/09/2025

Species

Pigeons

Number trapped

4

Fate

Location

Southend

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

House Sparrows trapped in netting

Date reported

26/09/2025

Species

House Sparrows

Number trapped

20

Fate

8 Sparrows already dead

Location

Basildon

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Pigeons trapped in netting

Date reported

26/09/2025

Species

Pigeons

Number trapped

30

Fate

3 Pigeons already dead

Location

Basildon

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Incident

Case

Pigeon trapped in netting

Date reported

29/09/2025

Species

Pigeons

Number trapped

1

Fate

Unknown

Location

Southend

Species protected status

Reported to

Photo evidence

Take Action: Demand Accountability

Join us in urging authorities and companies to take action on these incidents and end bird netting.

Submit Your Evidence

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,