A crackdown on lamping has been launched on Anglesey.
North Wales Police is targeting night-time poachers who use high powered lamps to flush out rabbits and hares for their dogs to hunt.
Lamping is said to be a “tradition” on Anglesey with the island attracting poachers from as far afield as Cheshire and the Wirral.
The region’s rural crime unit is now working with farmers, farm unions and gamekeepers to identify hotspots.
Police, armed with night-vision equipment and thermal imaging cameras, are also analysing crime patterns to map out problem areas.
PCSO Dennis Owen said: “It has been a big problem on Anglesey for many years and for some families it’s a tradition, it’s what they do.
“These poachers have no respect for fencing or the fact hares are a protected species.
“It’s a big problem but it’s an issue we are tackling. We are collating vehicle details and then visiting these people at their homes.
“They may deny what they have been doing but at least they know that we know.”
Livestock put at risk
Lamping has unintended consequences which can have serious repercussions for farmingcommunities, he said.
After driving along unclassified roads, shining their lights over walls and hedges, poachers typically release their dogs into fields.
“The dogs are then allowed to run among sheep and cattle and we have seen animals suffer injuries in the past,” said PCSO Owen.
“Livestock worrying is a big problem and it’s an issue we won’t tolerate.”
Fly-tipping problem for landowners
Tim Bowie, manager of the Bodorgan Estate, recently hosted a visit from North WalesPolice and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick and his deputy, Julian Sandham, to discuss the campaign.
Mr Bowie said poaching wasn’t the only problem confronting the estate.
He said: “From 2010 we kept a log of petty crimes committed on the estate.
“While many crimes were relatively minor such as fly-tipping, which remains an issue, some, such as poaching and the theft of farm equipment, was more serious.
“People think fly-tipping is easily cleared away but recently we had a load of waste dumped on the estate. This contained asbestos sheets and so needed to be cleared up by a specialist team – an expense which had to be borne by the estate.”
'Offenders must be prosecuted'
Mr Bowie believes the collaborative approach adopted by North Wales Police, and specifically the appointment of PCSO Dennis Owen, is bearing fruit.
“It has been a massive benefit to us,” he said.
“What we now need is the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to take rural crime seriously and agree to prosecute offenders.
“CPS lawyers need to take these offences as seriously as fish poaching. Yes, fish have an economic value but poaching hares and foxes can be just as damaging to the environment.”
see- http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/angleseys-poachers-face-police-crackdown-10505708
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