Horrifying illegal poaching weapons found along River Trent

Cruel and dangerous weapons used to trap fish have been discovered along the River Trent in Burton. Water bailiff John Anderson said the traps are so cruel they maim and kill anything they catch. They also often end up catching waterfowl too as they stumble across them on river banks.

He said, Staffordshire Live reports, the "reality of poaching is a far cry from the romantic novel image of a person tickling a few trout to feed their family " after the frightening traps were discovered by a water bailiff who was patrolling along the river in Burton.

The bailiff discovered a spear and a weapon known as a 'gaff' which has large hooks on the end. If an animal gets caught in one of these it can lead to a slow and painful death - not only for fish but as waterfowl can also get caught up in them, he said.

Poachers caught in the act of putting these nasty traps in place could even use them against the bailiffs as they confront poachers while they are out on patrol, Mr Anderson fears.