POLICE in South Gloucestershire have been working to tackle poaching and other rural crimes in a joint operation with Wiltshire police over the past month.

The operation, which involved officers taking part in joint patrols of the Chipping Sodbury and Hullavington area on the border of the two counties, saw more than 50 vehicles being checked for signs of suspicious activity.

The two overnight sessions made since August 31, has also led to one person being issued with a cannabis warning, two uninsured vehicles being taken off the road and high-powered lamps suspected of being used in poaching being seized.

Two men are also currently on police bail following their arrest on suspicion of poaching.

Chipping Sodbury PC Dan Jones said: "We are running these operations as a result of information from the community about rural crime, especially poaching.

“We’ve had really good feedback from local people. I hope they feel reassured by the action we’ve been taking and that criminals will think twice about offending in the area.

"We know these criminals don’t worry about causing damage to crops and property when they trespass for game. They’re not above theft of other property while they’re there either.

“It’s important for people to keep passing on information about criminal activity in their neighbourhood so that we can continue to carry out these targeted operations."

As well as the unnecessary suffering to animals, poaching and other rural crimes have a significant impact on communities, as it is now no longer about an individual taking one or two animals, but is instead organised groups taking game and livestock to sell.

Officers have reminded that any business supplying food, whether for profit or not, has a legal obligation to ensure it is fit to eat, and that a number of potential health risks could come with the consumption of illegally-caught wild game, as well as the unhygienic processing techniques used by offenders.