Major police op to catch poachers (From Andover Advertiser)

Major police op to catch poachers

2:40pm Friday 12th December 2008 in Search Module

POLICE carried out a major operation in Test Valley on Sunday and Monday in a bid to crack down on poachers.

Organised by the Countrywatch team led by Sgt Louise Hubble, the operation also included areas around Whitchurch and Overton.

The roads policing unit, dogs section and the police aircraft were drafted in to help.

Sgt Glenn Curtis, of the Andover rural beat team, said during the operation two poachers were disturbed. They drove off leaving their dog behind, which was seized.

He added: “We also enlist the help of landowners and gamekeepers and we encourage them to go out on patrol, so we then have, in theory, a huge network of people out on the ground.”

Poaching is big business these days with a considerable amount of money involved in the sale of game and betting syndicates within the poaching gangs.

They can also cause a considerable amount of damage to buildings, gates and crops.

During the operation more than 40 vehicles were checked.

Sgt Curtis said: “Some of the gamekeepers look after thousands of pounds worth of birds – that’s serious money to them and the word is that landowners are pleased that we are taking it seriously.”

Although the continuing operations are intelligence-led, they may not always catch poachers red-handed – but Sgt Curtis said they should act as a deterrent to any would-be poacher, many of whom come from counties outside Hampshire.

Sgt Curtis urged members of the public to contact Stockbridge police station on 0845 045 4545 if they see anyone acting suspiciously in the countryside or a vehicle that should not be there.