A JOINT anti-poaching and rural crime operation involving 50 cross-border police officers has gathered vital evidence, police have said.

Operation Firefly led by Gloucestershire Police and Operation Masey led by Thames Valley Police took place between February 12 and 16.

Police were equipped with specialist 4x4s, night vision equipment and the police helicopter descended on the Cotswolds and Thames Valley in a joint operation to catch poachers and rural criminals.

Over five nights the officers from both forces patrolled areas, crossing police borders targeting areas in which poachers normally carry out their illegal activities. The operation also included numerous game keepers and land owners who were set in covert static positions acting as look-outs, utilising thermal imaging and night vision equipment to notify the officers of any sightings via a radio link.

A total of four vehicles were seen to be taking part in poaching activity. One vehicle was seized during the operation and leads are being followed up in to the other vehicles involved. Vital intelligence has been gathered and is being shared with the National Wildlife Crime Agency and surrounding police forces

PC Ashley Weller of Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “I have been overwhelmed with the positive response from officers, land-owners and game-keepers. It was great to see so many at Friday night’s operation briefing, plus many more to follow in the following nights of the operation.

“We have heard of poachers trespassing and then shooting or using dogs to take deer and other game. By working together with land-owners and our neighbouring police forces we are looking beyond where the police have traditionally looked to stop this crime occurring.

“Ultimately the poacher is making his financial gain somewhere and this is where we will be looking next. We want to know where this meat is going, where it is being butchered and stored, who is buying it and where it is being sold.

“Poaching is a crime on many accounts. Crops are often damaged, livestock can be scared and in some cases land owners are threatened.

“For us it is more than anti-social behaviour although poaching is sometimes viewed as this. There are tangible links between poaching and organised crime groups. Those who are making profit from poaching and livestock theft are making landowners lives a misery.

“Rural residence can sometimes feel vulnerable due to their geographical isolation. I want to make these members of the community feel safer and the only way to do this is to take a zero tolerance approach to anyone caught poaching or making land owners lives a misery by their illegal activities.

“Operation Firefly and other joint operations with the surrounding police forces are becoming a regular event in the Cotswolds and we will continue to make the Cotswolds a safer place.”