Heywood poachers snared by Selby Police

Date published: 17 January 2011


Four travelling criminals from Heywood have been charged with poaching and drug offences after being caught trespassing on land in Selby.

The men were stopped by police between Temple Hirst and Chapel Haddlesey, in the early hours of Thursday 13 January 2011, after a local resident reported seeing lamping lights flashing in a nearby lane.

Officers pulled over a white Vauxhall Astra van and arrested all four occupants at around 2.25am. They also seized the vehicle and two lurchers which were suspected of being used in a crime.

The men were taken to Selby police station for questioning and were charged with entering land as a trespasser at night with poaching equipment.

Three of the men were also charged with possession of a Class B drug.

Inspector Richard Abbott, of Selby Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Travelling criminals who prey on our communities are not welcome in Selby and this case shows how seriously we take the matter.

"It is very pleasing that members of the public are providing us with information to help us catch offenders entering our district and I would encourage people to keep reporting suspicious incidents to us.

"I hope the speed with which we have dealt with the offenders in this case will send out a strong message to others thinking of coming to Selby to commit crime."

The four offenders aged 36, 25, 27 and 42 have been fast-tracked to appear at Selby Magistrates' Court on Monday 3 February 2011.

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