Warning to pubs over illegal game

The warning has been made by Sussex Police as Autumn heralds a usual seasonal rise in poaching across the county, especially for deer, both shot and coursed and also hares, again coursed illegally by poachers with dogs.

Wildlife crime officer PCSO Daryl Holter said: “The cosy, traditional image of a local countryman taking ‘one for the pot’ is far removed from the gruesome reality of modern day poaching carried out on an all but commercial basis, often by gangs travelling into the countryside from towns and cities, sometimes from quite a distance.

“We have worked closely with rural communities and partner agencies to tackle the problem in the county for a number of years.

“We are preparing for an increase in reports due to the time of year and would like to raise awareness around poaching and associated activities early on.”

To prevent purchasing illegal meat, people are advised not to buy from people who they do not know, report suspicious gatherings in car parks around vans or 4x4s and dealers in game should show legal documentation for the sale of meat.

Daryl continued: “Commercial poaching is a serious problem on various levels. It is not a faceless crime.

“There is a real risk to public health as meat is introduced illegally into the system and in the case of deer poaching, the animals are shot at night using high-powered weapons with an obvious risk to public safety.

“There is also concern for deer not being killed in a clinical and professional manner as many are shot with weapons not suitable for the size of the animal.

“Those not shot cleanly can often escape into the undergrowth to die a cruel lingering and painful death.

“I would urge anyone to contact police with any information that would help in catching poachers, especially if they have been offered meat from sources other than bona fide dealers.

“I’d also like to send a warning to poachers themselves that we are working very closely with farm and land owners and in some cases even installing CCTV to catch poachers.

“It will not be tolerated and we will do all we can to support anyone that this crime affects.

“When we catch you, we will put you in front of a court and we have the power to seize all of the ‘tools of your trade’, including weapons, vehicles and even your dogs.”

Higher unemployment rates due to the recession, a surge in the UK’s deer population and improved record-keeping have contributed to a considerable rise in reported poaching incidents in recent years.

Poaching intensifies in the run up to Christmas and the New Year when there is an increased demand for game.

In a high profile case in 2010 dawn raids by 50 Sussex Police officers across East Sussex uncovered animal carcasses and meat, including deer and wild boar.

Police said at the time that they were responding to concerns about highly organised poaching for big profits.

Three men were eventually charged with offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Their weapons of choice, among high powered rifles, had included crossbows.

The British Deer Society runs a campaign called Shine a light on poaching which seeks to encourage people to report all incidents of poaching.

If you suspect illegal poaching is taking place, please email [email protected] or call 101 - if it’s happening there and then dial 999 immediately. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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