In our February 2014 issue we featured angling-related crime; here is an update.
The Angling Trust reports that crime includes poaching and assaults on voluntary bailiffs checking that anglers have licences. And to combat theft of tackle, the forensic marking product company SmartWater has developed a bespoke forensic taggant, available to Angling Trust members at a discount.
In June Operation LEVIATHAN – the biggest operation to date targeting illegal fishing and fish theft, was launched at West Mercia Police Headquarters. Involving eight police forces, with more set to sign up, this Angling Trust-initiated operation is also a partnership with the Environment Agency, National Resources Wales, and Cefas. LEVIATHAN, like the TRAVERSE operation in East Anglia, aims to raise awareness.
In Gloucestershire, Sergeant Simon Clemett leads on LEVIATHAN – while PCSO Mike Shuttleworth has a dedicated role coordinating the operation in his force area. Mike said: “I am a life-long angler with experience of various types of fishing, including coarse and game, river and stillwater, in this county and beyond – so have a natural interest in protecting fish and fisheries. This kind of initiative is long overdue and I will do everything I can to ensure that anglers receive an appropriate service and increase awareness of the issue in Gloucestershire. I currently work from Lydney Police Station; if anglers require advice they can contact me via telephoning 101 – but they MUST report incidents occurring at the time in the usual way. I can also be contacted by email on [[email protected]]. In fact, so impressed am I by the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Campaign that I have just joined as an individual member – the membership fee is worth it just to support the enforcement work alone!”
Angling Trust National Enforcement Manager Dilip Sarkar MBE, pictured, is a retired West Mercia police officer and lifelong angler. He said: “Gloucestershire is one of LEVIATHAN’S founding forces and both Sergeant Clemett and PCSO Shuttleworth are very experienced and dedicated officers – we are fortunate to have them working so hard to help address anglers’ issues. We are extremely impressed by the proactive stance taken by all forces to date and looking forward to seeing the numbers engaged in these operations grow until the whole of England and Wales is protected by such initiatives.”
Visit http://www.anglingtrust.net.
