Rural Crime Team Respond to Males Illegally Fishing
PC Craig Purcell and PC Andy Steventon were recently out patrolling the Bidford-Upon-Avon area in the early hours when we heard over the radio that response officers had located three people fishing on the River Avon near Luddington. As the officers approached one male decided he didn’t fancy hanging around so jumped in the river to get away!
They attended to assist in a search for the male and utilised our 4×4 capability to access areas other officers couldn’t. We spotted a suspicious car with two males in it nearby and on stopping the car determined that they had been fishing in a private members only area under the control of Stratford Angling Association.
Neither of them had a current rod licence or permission to be fishing the area.
They reported the males for offences that will result in a future court date and to prevent further illegal fishing we seized their equipment as shown in the picture. A forfeiture request will be made to Magistrates’ when the court date arrives.
Unfortunately the third male wasn’t located but signs were found that someone had exited the river slightly down stream, someone had a very wet and cold walk home!!
The Rural Crime Team will continue to work with the Environment Agency and Angling Trust on these issues to help legitimate anglers across Warwickshire. Anyone wanting to know where the money from rod licences goes can watch a video on the subject at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayUqySi97FU
Operation Leviathan is a multi-agency operation to prevent, detect and prosecute those illegally fishing that Warwickshire Police are proud to support.
Please see the below link for more information.
https://anglingtrust.net/fresh…/operation-traverse-leviathan