Residents, farmers and landowners around Wells are being urged to stay alert to signs of poaching as police continue work to tackle rural crime across the area.

The Wells Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team says it is working with local communities, farmers and partner agencies through proactive patrols, community engagement and crime prevention advice.

Officers say particular attention should be paid during darker evenings and early mornings, when people involved in poaching may be active.

Poaching can include the illegal hunting of deer, hare or game, entering private land without permission and using lamps, lurchers or other night-hunting equipment.

Police say it can cause harm to wildlife, damage farmland and put livestock at risk, while incidents can also involve trespassing and property damage.

Residents are being asked to look out for warning signs including:

• Vehicles parked in gateways, tracks or lay-bys late at night
• Bright lamps or torches being swept across fields
• People with dogs or hunting equipment
• People accessing farmland without permission
• Suspicious activity in fields or woodland outside legal hunting seasons

The policing team says its wider rural crime work covers the Wells and Mendip areas, with officers continuing to work alongside communities to protect farmland, wildlife and rural businesses.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity can report it to Avon and Somerset Police on 101 or through the Avon and Somerset Police website.

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If a crime is taking place at the time, police advise calling 999.

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