From a police perspective: The rise in poaching offences in Goole

This month, Sgt Lonsdale tells us how Goole is a hotspot for poaching and how the police are tackling this.

This time of year we see an increase in offences relating to poaching. Goole and surrounding areas is hit hard by this issue, due to the area being ideal for committing the crime.

The ground surrounding Goole is relatively flat and seen as ideal for hare coursing and other offences such as badger baiting and deer poaching. Operation Galileo and Zodiac is a Humberside Police’s response aimed at tackling and reducing the incidents of poaching.

These offences are having a significant impact on the rural communities and increasing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. Poaching is not just about the inhumane killing of animals, it’s founded on gambling, value of dogs and related criminal activities poaching brings to the area.

We will often see those involved in poaching offences connected to other crimes such as thefts, burglaries, dangerous driving etc. We have identified peak days and times that these offences take place. As a result we have dedicated teams dealing with them.

We will use a range of powers including arrest, seizure of vehicles and dogs and all equipment, and ultimately prosecution and Criminal Behaviour Orders. These will ban people from returning to the East Riding.
If you have any information about ongoing activities, or pre-planned events please call 101.

Samples of crimes dealt with this month in Goole:

1. A male from Old Goole was charged with driving whilst disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance, and using threatening/abusive behaviour with intent to cause fear of/provoke unlawful violence. He was remanded to Hull Magistrates court on 8 October. He was already on bail for driving whilst disqualified, and so was remanded to appear at Beverley Magistrates on 10 October for all outstanding offences.

2. A 49-year-old male from Asselby was released on bail on 7 Ocotber, following his arrest for threats to kill the previous day. Further enquiries are being carried out by the officers in the case. He will answer bail on 30 October.

3. We also issued a Community Resolution notice to a 20-year-old male who admitted committing criminal damage by breaking the window of Fat Boys Takeaway on North Street – he is to pay the owner for the repair costs.

4. A 27-year-old male was issued with a Penalty Notice for disorder and a fine, for a Section 5 Public Order offence committed outside Fat Boys Takeaway during the same incident. A third male, arrested for assault during this incident also, was later released from custody with no further action.