Police join forces to crack down on poaching in North Yorkshire

Joint anti-poaching patrols by North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police on the Ryedale / Humberside border in May 2019.
Joint anti-poaching patrols by North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police Credit: North Yorkshire Police

Police are warning poachers to stay out of North Yorkshire, as the force ramps up a new anti-poaching operation.

Poachers normally travel in groups of up to four people, with dogs, using 4x4 vehicles. They typically hunt brown hare or deer. In addition to being a wildlife crime, their illegal activity can cause extensive damage to crops, fields and fences – and leave victims in fear of violence and retaliation.

Aerial photograph of damage caused to crops in Richmondshire in April 2019 by a vehicle driven by suspected poachers. Credit: North Yorkshire Police

About 80% of poaching incidents in North Yorkshire take place between September and February, typically on open farmland after crops have been harvested. The districts of Hambleton, Selby and Ryedale are worst hit. Many offenders travel into North Yorkshire from elsewhere in the region to commit their offences.

In a new operation – Operation Figaro – North Yorkshire Police will be robustly targeting poachers to put a stop to their illegal activity.

Photographs of damage caused to rapeseed crops in the Selby district in January 2020 by a 4x4 driven across fields. Credit: North Yorkshire Police

This year, a list of people suspected of being involved in poaching in the past will get a letter from North Yorkshire Police, advising them not to commit further offences in the county. Some of these may be hand-delivered, to make sure the message hits home.

Anyone caught poaching will be summonsed to court, while those stopped in suspicious circumstances will be issued with a community protection warning or a community protection notice – breaches of which will be prosecuted.

In a typical 12-month period, North Yorkshire Police receives around 600 calls about poaching incidents in the county.

Between April 2019 and March 2020, poaching incidents were split by district as follows:

  • Craven - 18

  • Hambleton - 212

  • Harrogate - 70

  • Richmondshire - 73

  • Ryedale - 93

  • Scarborough - 24

  • Selby - 117

  • York - 24

Saturdays and Sundays typically see the highest volume of reports. Reports peak in September, October and January.

Officers will also act on information from local communities. Mobile Rural Watch schemes, and groups of rural residents sharing information via WhatsApp groups, cover more than 90% of North Yorkshire’s rural communities, and can act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police, reporting suspicious activity that could be linked to poaching.

“Our officers, some of whom have farming backgrounds, know the terrible impact poaching can have on rural communities. Poachers often have no regard for farmers and landowners, causing thousands of pounds of damage to crops. Victims are often intimidated or even threatened with violence if they challenge offenders, leaving them feeling vulnerable to further crimes, particularly in isolated areas.

“On top of that, evidence suggests that poaching offenders are also involved in other aspects of criminality – including the organised theft of quad bikes and farm machinery.

“Officers are working hand-in-hand with local communities. Reports of poaching will be taken extremely seriously, so poachers will find it very difficult to enter and leave North Yorkshire unchallenged.”

Residents are encouraged to note down and report any suspicious activity, such as unusual vehicle movements, particularly in remote or isolated areas.