Poaching to be quashed in Derbyshire Dales

PCSO Ian Phipps from the Tideswell, Litton, Baslow and Beeley beat has been teaming up with river keepers to carry out joint patrols of the river routes.

The policing team have been working alongside the Cressbrook and Litton Flyfishers Club over the past year to deter rural crime and to offer reassurance to residents living close to the rivers.

Force wildlife crime officer, PC Emerson Buckingham, said: “Fish poaching is an issue that affects the whole of Derbyshire at this time and is taken seriously by the Derbyshire Constabulary Wildlife Crime Unit.

“We are working in close partnership with the Environment Agency and a large number of fishing clubs across the county to tackle this issue. As part of this, we have teamed up with fishing clubs to launch an anti-poaching scheme whereby members can directly report these types of incidents to a wildlife crime police officer such as myself, or the Environment Agency. This scheme has proved very effective since it started running at the beginning of the year.”

PCSO Ian Phipps from the area’s Safer Neighbourhood team added: “These joint patrols are a fantastic way of working alongside the local fishers club to find out more about the work of the river bailiffs and to deter rural crime such as poaching.

“It is also a great opportunity to find out more about the issues that matter most to the rural and fishing communities and how we can further support them.”

Chris Thirtle of the Cressbrook and Litton Flyfishers Club said: “The joint patrols between the river bailiffs and police demonstrates how rural crime, such as poaching, is taken seriously. The visible police presence also provides reassurance to people living in communities close to the river.

“Patrolling together allows us to share relevant intelligence, build trust, and also increases our understanding of one another's capabilities and limitations.

“Whether we're supporting the police by using our local knowledge in a missing persons search, or they are supporting us in a poaching incident, this closer working relationship increases the likelihood of a successful result.”

The anti-poaching group meet on a regular basis and hold seminars twice a year to discuss the issue and make improvements moving forward.

To speak to the Tideswell Safer Neighbourhood Team call 101, or send them a message online using the Contact Us section of our website here

You can also follow the team on Twitter for all of the latest community news: @TideswellSNT

Report wildlife crime to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.