EXTRA officers have been deployed as part of Operation Themis after reports of cages being stolen and tracking devices being attached to contractor vehicles in the cull zone.

Gloucestershire Constabulary has released the following statement after receiving a letter from three Gloucestershire MPs expressing concerns about the pilot badger cull.

"Since the start of Operation Themis Gloucestershire Constabulary has deployed a significant number of resources to ensure all our communities are safe, that people are able to protest peacefully and lawfully and to deal with any incidents of crime. 

"On a daily basis we review the numbers of officers, locations and tactics we use, so we are in line with our stated approach to the operation. 

"The recent increase in the number of officers deployed as part of Operation Themis comes after a series of reports about cages being damaged or stolen and tracking devices being attached to contractors' vehicles.

"Officers are currently investigating these allegations but to prevent any further occurrences are considering forensic marking, CCTV and other targeted methods. 

"We can confirm we have received a letter via email last night from three Gloucestershire MPs expressing similar issues in relation to the government's pilot badger cull.  We are looking into this and will respond in due course.

"However, as we regularly receive reports and counter claims regarding the pilot badger cull, we would like to take this opportunity to ask all parties, whatever their views on the cull, to act responsibly.

"If anyone has any information we ask that you call us on 101 or email us on 101@gloucestershire.police.uk."