POLICE are appealing for members of the public to come forward to report poaching and other wildlife crimes in the Dean, fearing that such incidents are currently going unreported.

“Last month officers received a call reporting that the body of a boar had been found near to Speech House in Coleford,” PC Cath McDay, rural crime officer for the Forest of Dean, told the Review.

“The animal had been stabbed to death and the incident (crime number 182 of 12 March) is believed to have happened over the previous weekend.

“The previous month, boar skin and body parts were found in Newland (incident 113 of 16 February), which indicated poaching, and there have been anecdotal reports on social media of sightings of a man with a gun and animals’ remains being found.

“This does not give police chance to respond and so offenders are getting away with it.

“We know there is an issue with boar poaching in the Forest of Dean, and are aware of some specific incidents, but very often people just report it on social media and by the time we get to hear about it, it’s too late.

“If members of the public came to us straight away when they witness, or have information about, a crime, we may be able to act.

“I would urge anyone who sees anything which they suspect to be a wildlife crime in action, such as poaching, hare coursing or firearms offences, to report it to us by calling 999 or 101 by phone or email [email protected] with information about suspects or incidents.”

Poaching is one of six priorities set by the National Wildlife Crime Unit, which encourages reporting of all wildlife crimes to local forces.

Gloucestershire Constabulary has a dedicated team of rural and wildlife crime officers working across the whole force area, and they are keen to work with the local communities to tackle this criminality.

Follow Gloucestershire Police’s wildlife crime officers to find out what they are doing on Twitter @GlosPol_Rural