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Jan 2021

Environment

Suspected poachers in Pateley Bridge receive covid fines

Published: 12 Jan 2021, 14:37 GMT

by Thomas Barrett

Officers on anti-poaching patrols stopped four 4x4 vehicles at 6pm on Sunday. None of the occupants could provide a reasonable excuse for being there during lockdown and were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching covid regulations.

Suspected poachers in Pateley Bridge have been issued with fixed penalty notices by police for breaching covid regulations.

Officers on anti-poaching patrols stopped four 4x4 vehicles at about 6pm on Sunday.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today none of the occupants could provide a reasonable excuse for being there during lockdown and were fined. A first offence fine is typically £200.

Police had received reports the previous day from a local rural watch group of men gathering in Pateley Bridge.

A member of the rural watch group also contacted the Stray Ferret about the gathering, saying they were "horrified" to watch the men eat pies in a car park and smoke cigarettes before driving off.

They added:

"There were eight of them in the car with no masks on. They'd gone on to Pateley High Street and could have come from West or South Yorkshire."

Enquiries are ongoing into both incidents.

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Poachers normally travel in groups with dogs, using 4x4 vehicles. They typically hunt brown hare or deer.

Inspector Matt Hagen, from North Yorkshire Police, said it had increased poaching patrols to prevent similar incidents:

“It beggars belief that anyone would breach vital public health regulations to go poaching. But we’ve had a number of concerning reports from residents in rural parts of North Yorkshire, particularly around Pateley Bridge and Skipton, that this may be happening.

“Poaching is far from a victimless crime. Poachers have no regard for farmers or landowners and often cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to fields and crops. Not only that, but their actions can leave residents feeling extremely vulnerable and fearful. And in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, this criminality is even more unacceptable."

The police urged people to pass on details of suspicious activity, such as unusual vehicle movements, particularly in remote or isolated areas.

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Suspected poachers in Pateley Bridge receive covid fines

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