Six people charged with 'poaching offences' in the North East

Six people have been charged in connection with poaching offences in the North East this month as part of Operation Wingspan.

Officers received a report of men allegedly fishing without permission at the River Deveron around 8.50pm on Monday, 5 July.

Enquiries led to four men being traced and charged in connection with this and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The River Deveron is routinely used to fish for salmon and trout and a person must be in possession of a permit in order to legally fish there.

In a separate incident, officers received a report of possible salmon poaching in the Craigellachie area of Arberlour around 5pm on Saturday, 24 July.

Two boys, aged 14 and 16, have been charged in connection with this and will be reported through the appropriate youth justice process.

PC Hannah Haywood, the North East’s Wildlife Crime Liaison Officer, said: “Operation Wingspan is a campaign to prevent wildlife crime. As part of this, we also work closely with partners to raise awareness of these types of offences and their impact.

“Fish poaching can be highly damaging and impacts Scotland’s vulnerable fish stocks.

“Anyone with any concerns around wildlife crime in their area is asked to report it to officers."