Dead rabbits reveal suspected Nottinghamshire poachers

Three poaching suspects were tracked down and arrested by police after a call from a member of the public.

Officers, who were in the area as part of a pre-planned rural crime operation, were called to Broomfield Lane, Mattersey Thorpe, near Retford at 10:42 pm on Wednesday 28th February when an unauthorised 4×4 vehicle was spotted in a field.

The vehicle had become stuck and was abandoned by its occupants, who left behind two dead rabbits and a knife.

Three men, aged 22, 18 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of wildlife offences and being in possession of a bladed article.

The older man was also detained on suspicion of cannabis possession.