More police help fight fishing crime

SURREY Police has become the latest force to sign up to Operation Traverse – a multi-agency initiative launched to tackle fish theft and illegal fishing.

The operation was launched in November 2014 to provide police forces, the National Wildlife Crime Unit, Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers, the Angling Trust and other partners with a platform to work better together and share information to tackle fisheries crime and illegal fishing.

The latest commitment creates an important link with surrounding forces and provides a wider roll-out of the operation in the East and South East of England.

Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp, of Surrey Police, said: “The work we are doing with Operation Traverse plays an important role in positively contributing to the fight against fisheries crime in Surrey.

“This is an excellent approach to tackling the concerns of the angling community and we are excited to commit to this joint initiative.

“We will be working closely with the Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement support service and voluntary bailiffs and supporting Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers on planned days of action across the region.

“It is important we emphasise the key role all anglers can play by reporting incidents and supplying information, which will all help to make Surrey the safest county it can be to fish in.”