LOCAL Police officers have been patrolling the known hotspot areas to stop poaching and protect the wildlife.

Officers from West Mercia Police are patrolling the Ross-on-Wye area both day and night to tackle poaching and rural crime offences.

Officers have also been linking in with members from rural communities to give advice around crime prevention.

On December 4, the police carried out a proactive operation targeting poaching in our rural communities and during the operation, a vehicle suspected of involvement in poaching failed to stop for police.

Due to the dangerous manner of driving and risk to the public, a pursuit was not authorised as safety is always the force’s priority.

However the vehicle details were obtained, and an investigation into poaching and failing to stop is now ongoing.

A second vehicle was also seen, and officers successfully detained the offenders at the scene. They were dealt with appropriately, and further enquiries continue.

More operations are planned over the coming months as the police remain committed to tackling poaching and protecting wildlife.

Recently two gates at two different locations in the Ross area were rammed, causing considerable damage, this has then led to illegal trespass, crops being damaged and illegal hunting.

If you have any information about poaching, please report it via 101 or online at westmercia.police.uk. Helpful information would be location (what3words), description of suspects, vehicle details.

Remember, do not put yourself in any danger. These offenders may be carrying weapons, so please call 999 in an emergency or by calling 101 in a non-emergency situation.

A similar operation last year in Bristow saw four men being detained for alleged poaching offences and were reported for poaching offences using laws, namely the Night Poaching Act. The men had with them a number of dogs and lamping equipment.