The police and crime commissioner for Humberside has moved to warn poachers of the consequences for their actions.
While visiting Driffield on Thursday 9 May, Matthew Grove spoke about clamping down on rural crime, in particular with the coming of summer.
He said: “Rural crime is an absolute priority for me. I am a life long rural dweller, I live in a small village myself and I understand the damage that poaching does and rural crime does.
“Poaching is actually the engine room of rural crime as much of the things that are stolen are identified by poachers while they’re out doing what they do.
“We must drive poaching out of our area. I am very keen to see that we start punishing poachers using deterrents that are effective.
“It’s time we took their dogs off them its their dogs that they value. If we confiscate them I think it will send out the message loudly and clearly to the poachers coming into this area: don’t bother coming go elsewhere if you come here you will lose your dogs.”
Whilst visiting Driffield Mr Grove spoke to members of Pub Watch, a scheme upheld by pub landlords which aims to promote a safe social drinking environment.
“I am really impressed with what they are doing and the effort they are going to targets problematic people who are making our towns less pleasant places to be,” said Mr Grove.
PC Steve Wilson, of Driffield Police, said: “I think it has given the chance for some of the local community to put their views and concerns across to the commissioner. It has been beneficial.”
Mr Grove visited the town as part of a tour around all neighbourhood policing areas in the Humberside area, and spent the day speaking to local residents, business owners and the Driffield Police team. He also spent time with Driffield Town Council.
To watch a video of Mr Grove speaking about targeting rural crime visit www.driffieldtoday.co.uk