Police are clamping down on illegal poaching in the Forest of Dean
An image of a deer with a crossbow bolt through its head has been raising public awareness of the issue.
Gloucestershire Police says they've upped their patrols in the Forest of Dean area after a picture of a deer with a crossbow bolt through its head started circulating on social media.
Gloucestershire Constabulary are investigating the incident and have asked anyone with information to come forward.
Their Rural Crime Team carry out regular patrols in the Forest of Dean and said the usually see a rise in poaching offences during the winter.
Police Sergeant Samantha Swinford, said: "We're hoping with a higher police presence and the public being a bit more aware they will report more poaching activity and prevent any further offences to our wildlife.
"Obviously there are footpaths going through some private land that the public have access to and if someone if shooting indiscriminately someone could be hurt so it is a really big concern."
Gloucestershire Constabulary also said poaching can have a huge impact on the landowners.
Sergeant Samantha Swinford, said: "There's landowners who have been harassed, bullied, targeted, threatened, and in some cases really badly assaulted. Because they are trying to protect their land and the wildlife on their land."
Some farmers really fear for their families knowing that the poachers will go to any lengths to get access to their land."