POLICE are urging people to report any sightings of poaching following the seizure of a vehicle they believe to have been used in connection with illegal hunting.

Officers from the Ribble Valley Rural Task force recently seized a Citroen Berlingo in West Craven under the Poaching Prevention Act following reports of alleged poaching in the Bracewell area.

A police spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, on this occasion, the occupants of the vehicle decided that they did not want to return to the vehicle to explain themselves whilst we were with it however, given that we had enough reasonable cause to suspect that they were actively out poaching in the area, the act gave us the power to seize the vehicle that we suspect has been used in the offence.

"We remain committed to tackling offenders who actively commit all forms of illegal poaching activity, both day and night, and will, when necessary, seize any article, dog or vehicle that they use to carry out this activity.

"If anyone has any information that they would like pass with regards to any poaching activity in the Ribble Valley please feel free to get in touch at RVRTF@lancashire.police.uk".