Officers support clampdown on illegal fishing in the close season

Police are supporting a clampdown on illegal coarse fishing during the close season.

Officers in Shropshire want anyone who spots illegal fishing to contact the Environment Agency.

Sian Thomas, a police rural and business officer based at Telford, said: "The Rural and Business Team have met with The Angling Trust UK and The Environment Agency to support Operation Clampdown, supporting the coarse fish close season, which runs from March 15 until June 15."

The close season prevents anglers fishing for the majority of freshwater fish in rivers and streams across England in the spawning period when fish fertilise and lay their eggs.