Rural team of officers ready to catch illegal poachers and anglers
RESERVOIR CHECK TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND VISITORS
ESSEX Police rural engagement officers work to prevent and deter illegal fishing and fish theft across the county, to ensure wildlife is protected and anglers can enjoy their pastime safely.
Wildlife and heritage crime officer PC Jed Raven said the force wants regular visitors to reservoirs, lakes and rivers to be aware of poaching, illegal fishing and wildlife crimes, what to look out for and how to report them.
The rural engagement team visited Hanningfield Waterside Park on the first weekend of its bank fishing season with their rangers to talk with anglers and other visitors.
During the morning, they spoke to 70 people around the reservoir and anglers in 13 boats while patrolling with special constable colleagues, Environment Agency (EA) fisheries enforcement officers, investigative support officers from the National Wildlife Crime Unit and volunteers from the Angling Trust.
Jed said: “Thanks to people reporting information to us. We identified Hanningfield reservoir and the waterside park as hotspots for poaching and antisocial behaviour.
“It is important that people who fish in our freshwater reservoirs, lakes, rivers and canals are aware of the laws protecting fish and other wildlife.
“Hanningfield has a high rod licence evasion rate, which is linked to irresponsible fishing.
“The reservoir also suffers from poaching and some people will fish in areas which are prohibited to anglers because of migratory birds and other wildlife. So we look out for signs of poaching and unlicensed traps, which can cause harm and suffering to wildlife.”
In early March 13 people fishing at Hanningfield Waterside Park without a rod licence were reported to the Environment Agency for possible prosecution under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 for fishing without a rod licence. A conviction at court will mean they have a criminal record and can face a fine of up to £2,500. Two people had their
PC Jed Raven rods seized by Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers for leaving their rods unattended, which is a bylaw offence.
Jed said: “It may seem a small thing but fishing lines and hooks can get tangled with fish and other wildlife, causing them pain and distress if the angler is not there to prevent it.
“However, we found the majority of people who had braved the adverse weather were fishing legally and were interested in the work we do with our partners to ensure that our fish and wildlife are protected from cruelty.”
Later the force’s rural engagement officers and special constables patrolled the Hanningfields, Stock and Rettendon, speaking to villagers and listening to issues.
Jed said: “We want people to tell us of their concerns or provide us with information about any crimes. It all helps us to identify where the problems are so we can focus our operational policing effectively.
“Whilst the police deal with criminal matters, the Environment Agency is the statutory lead agency on fisheries enforcement so fisheries and rod licence offences should be reported to them.”
The Angling Trust’s East of England regional enforcement manager Paul Thomas said: “These multiagency patrols under Operation Traverse are vitally important, not only to enforce fisheries-related criminality but to also re-assure lawabiding anglers there are partnership teams looking out for them who are totally committed to fisheries enforcement.”
OPERATION Traverse is a national policing operation supported by the National Wildlife Crime Unit and other partners, such as the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust.
It targets illegal fishing and fish theft by targeting criminals who seek to profit from poaching, and educates anglers and visitors to reservoirs, lakes, river and canal banks about the importance of knowing the laws surrounding freshwater fishing and the permissions required.
If you have information about a crime, antisocial behaviour or criminal activity, you can report this online to Essex Police at www.essex.police.uk/ro or by ringing 101. If it is a crime in progress, ring 999.
If you wish to report a fisheries offence, including rod licences, contact the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
The Voluntary Bailiff Service is an increasingly important partnership between the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency, empowering anglers to support the police and the Environment Agency in fighting back against fisheries crime and protecting fish and fisheries.
If you want to be part of the wider fisheries enforcement network, apply join the Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS): https://anglingtrust.net/ enforcement/#vbs
It is important that people who fish...are aware of the laws protecting fish and
other wildlife.