Kent Police has reported that October was a very busy month for the Rural Task Force due largely to the increased number of poaching reports, which continue to be a cause for concern across the county.
An arrest of a wanted man caught driving an uninsured vehicle was among the positive results achieved by Kent Police’s Rural Task Force in October.
Officers were patrolling the A20 in Hothfield, near Ashford, when they stopped and seized the Peugeot 206 and issued the driver with a Traffic Offence Report.
It was then established he was wanted for allegedly assaulting a woman who was known to him the night before and was subsequently arrested.
The 18-year-old from Gravesend was later released on bail pending further enquiries.
Poaching
He was among a total of 10 people arrested by officers from the team, who also investigated 72 reports of poaching, 14 reports of livestock worrying and 27 wildlife incidents.
They also issued 16 Traffic Offence Reports and seized 14 vehicles.
One of the poaching incidents was alleged to have been committed on land in Thomsett Way, Queenborough, where officers witnessed four people flushing rabbits out from the reeds with eight Jack Russell-type dogs.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order that had been imposed on him for previous similar offending.
Officers also issued a Community Protection Notice to one man and a Community Protection Warning to another, and gave words of warning to a 12-year-old boy who was also present.
Concern
Inspector Tom Pooley of the Rural Task Force said: ‘October was a very busy month for the team due largely to the increased number of poaching reports, which continue to be a cause for concern across Kent and other rural counties.
‘Not only does poaching involve cruelty to animals but it is also associated with a range of other criminal activities including theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.
‘We will continue to work closely with farmers, landowners and partners to clamp down on this type of offending, as well as all other illegal acts that threaten people’s quality of life in rural areas.’