Police are looking at concerns about poachin in Mid Devon following issues raised over the last few hunting seasons by rural communities.

A group of government agencies including Avon and Somerset and Devon and Cornwall Police, The National Wildlife Crime Unit, Food Standards Agency, Trading Standards, various Environmental Heath Officers from the South West, Environment Agency, Animal & Plant Health Agency and Crime Stoppers have united to tackle this issue.

The South West Anti-Poaching Group will be sharing information and intelligence on those involved and identifying persons involved for enforcement options.

A spokesman said: "The last few years have shown that the issue is not about the lone rural rouge taking one for his larder, there are those who are taking deer, fish and livestock which inevitably end up in the food chain be it via restaurants, hotels or via a meat supplier.

"Some of these people are organised, are in it for financial gain and are linked to other types of criminality.

"Any business, including a hunter supplying food, whether for profit or not, has a legal obligation to ensure it is fit to eat. A number of potential health risks are associated with the consumption of wild venison caused by diseases such as Tuberculosis and E.coli. Faecal and environmental contamination can also occur as a result of unhygienic processing by persons operating outside of their legal obligations.

"Therefore all regulatory controls, including traceability of the product must be observed. As a bare minimum, registration with the Local Authority is required, this will help to prevent illegal venison entering the food chain.

A police spokesman said there have been reports of poachers trespassing and then shooting or using dogs to take deer, threatening landowners and post incidents finding damage or thefts.

Adding: "By working together we are looking beyond where the police have traditionally looked to stop this crime occurring. Ultimately the poacher is making a financial gain somewhere and this is where we will be looking next.

A campaign called ‘Stop Poaching’ has been launched which asks the public to report poaching when it is happening and when they find it has happened on their land.

The spokesman added: "We now want people to have a simple opportunity to Turn in Poachers and give us a tip on who, what, where, when and how by phoning Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

"We also 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. The call is free, no one will know who you are and it won’t show up on your BT or cable phone bill. In some circumstances you may be entitled to a cash reward. If you want to help tackle crime in your community there is no excuse."