#Stoppoachinguk

It is about this time of year between now and Christmas that landowners see a rise in the blight of poachers entering their land. Gone are the days of the merry country rogue, the poacher today can be armed with weapons and dogs, use intimidation and violence and are in it for greed and commercial gain.

The South West Illegal Meat Group comprising of the Police, NWCU, Trading Standards, Food Standards Agency, Environmental Health Officers, Angling Trust, Environment Agency, Deer Initiative, NFU, HMRC, APHA, DVSA, IFCA and the MMO are encouraging people to use CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555111 with information about who is involved and what they are doing.

We know that there are groups of people out there who are organised who are taking deer, fish and livestock illegally, slaughtering them illegally and passing the product into the food chain. Their behaviour has caused misery to landowners, tarnish to good names of those in the meat industry and causes a potential for disease and presents a risk of you or your family being made ill by the methods they use to get the meat to you.

Do not support this illegal activity. Ask where your food is coming from. If you are in the food business do not risk buying and selling food where you cannot guarantee the source.

We will work together but need your help and information to tackle disrupt and prosecute those involved in this illegal activity. If you know what’s going on phone CRIMESTOPPERS #STOPPOACHINGUK 0800 555 111 any time of the day and night. Click here for the stop-poaching-campaign-poster.