FOUR men have been arrested on suspicion of fish poaching.
Officers patrolling rural areas near Andover stopped an SUV-type vehicle on Weyhill Road, Weyhill, at around 3am on Thursday, May 8.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 26 rainbow trout, as well as catapults and fishing equipment, with no evidence of correct licensing provided.
The four men, all from Wales, were subsequently arrested.
READ MORE: Woman banned from roads showed ‘disregard for law’ by driving just eight days later
A 33-year-old from Pontypool was arrested on suspicion of using a motor vehicle on the road without third-party insurance or a valid test certificate, theft, and theft of fishing rights.
A 37-year-old man from Pontypool, a 38-year-old from Pontypool and a 59-year-old from Brynmawr were all arrested on suspicion of theft and theft of fishing rights.
They remain in police custody, while the vehicle has also been seized.
The act of fish poaching in freshwater rivers, where a private right of fishery exists, is deemed a criminal offence under Schedule 1 of the Theft Act 1968.
READ MORE: Rural businesses in Test Valley to benefit from £77k funding
A police spokesperson said: "This can put businesses at significant financial disadvantage, and undermine the efforts of riverkeepers who work hard to organise the beats and opportunities for legitimate customers.
"Fish poaching is often also linked with other offences in the rural area, such as burglary.
"This is why we regularly work with partners such as the Environment Agency and The Angling Trust to catch offenders and reduce poaching on the river network."
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44250199384.
