Illegal shellfish picking in Essex could be linked to lockdown

Organised criminals who send migrants to beaches in the South East to illegally harvest shellfish could be filling a gap in the market caused by lockdown, according to a fisheries expert.

Coastal authorities have reported gangs from around the country travelling to the seaside and flouting regulations set up to protect sea-life levels and food safety standards.

Police in Essex seized more than 810kg of shellfish from gangs of illegal pickers who were suspected of being forced to work by organised crime groups.

Officers spoke to 29 pickers and many of them needed help from the charity Justice And Care, which rescues victims from slavery.

The public are being asked to be vigilant about large numbers of people gathering to harvest shellfish on beaches.