POLICE officers attended fields near Blandford on Friday evening (August 29) following reports of an active poaching in progress in the area.

Officers from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime team, alongside special constable Pizzie from Dorset Police Special Constabulary and two officers from Blandford patrol team came to The Tarrant’s at around 5.30pm.

But the thorough search for poachers proved to be in vain, as despite being helped by local farmers, officers failed to locate any poachers.

“Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our search,” a spokesperson for the force said. “We have further enquiries to make and look to take action against those responsible.”

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Police in the country are gearing up to catch potential poachers as the poaching season draws near.

The poaching period typically sees a surge in crimes, with some offenders engaging in burglary and criminal damage as well as targeting wildlife.

The shooting season typically runs from September to February, with partridge, pheasant and duck all hunted.

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