Following reports of poaching on the Club waters, the Chairman, together with John Aplin and two members met with representatives from Dorset police at Whitfield hatches on Sat.25th to discuss the problem.
The police were extremely helpful and made it quite clear that poaching is a crime in progress covered by the 1968 Theft Act. Members should always call 999 to report it and not phone the keeper! Without a report the police will not be aware of the extent of a problem.
If possible note or photo vehicles.
Stress if you are vulnerable/elderly or at risk of intimidation..
In order to give the call handler an accurate location they recommend putting the “what3words” app on your smartphone. https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app/
This could also be very useful if a member needs to call an emergency service for any reason.
Whilst our discussion was underway two youths with spinning rods appeared at the gateway ready to start poaching. Both were apprehended by the police.
There was also coverage of the poaching issue in the Dorset Echo on Wed 30 https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/18757655.police-hunt-fish-poachers-river-frome/
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