KNUTSFORD police has joined a successful operation to crack down on poaching across areas of the north west.

During Operation Seek, PC Jim Day and PC Lesley Long have been conducting anti-poaching patrols along with members of Staffordshire police to help combat poaching of deer and other animals in Cheshire.

Thanks to the work of the team, arrests have been made in High Legh and Macclesfield, and two suspected criminals were stopped in Rostherne.

A 36-year-old man, who was arrested in High Legh with hunting dogs in his van, has since been found guilty of driving without insurance and PC Day was confident that he was caught just before he started rabbit hunting.

“This operation shows our commitment to tackling rural crime following the successful 100 days of rural crime campaign,” said PC Day.

“We will continue to look after our rural communities.”

The police operation mainly focussed on Macclesfield Forest, however the joint effort also led to the prevention of poaching across Rostherne, where two men were apprehended with hunting dogs.

Chief Inspector Sarah Heath, force leader on rural crime, said: “Wildlife crime is high on our agenda. Poaching is probably the biggest problem in wildlife crime in Cheshire.

“Poaching can take many forms from chasing rabbits and hares with dogs, to trespassing with firearms.

“It is a crime on several accounts. Crops are often damaged, livestock can be scared and in some cases land owners are threatened.

“For us it is more than anti-social behaviour although poaching is sometimes viewed as this. There are tangible links between poaching and organised crime groups.”

To report any suspicious activity call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.