Police officers learned more about issues such as rural crime, poaching and fish theft at two training days last month.
The event was run by Hadlow College at its Grove Farm Fisheries, in partnership with the Angling Trust and the Environment Agency, to educate officers around legislation and their powers to enforce the law within the Fisheries industry.
A series of scenarios were set up to replicate some of the issues the Police might face in real life. They included subjects such as rod licensing, license rod numbers, dealing with foreign anglers who have little grasp of English, what to do with live fish that have been caught and more.
The event has been held previously at Hadlow College’s Grove Farm Fisheries and it has proved so popular it has been extended from one day to two.
Brian Bailey, Commercial Fisheries Manager for Hadlow College, says: “Here at Hadlow College our main aim is to get our students industry ready by ensuring they work closely with industry professionals. Events like these allow our students to learn the most up to date enforcement techniques, participate in valuable training in fisheries and rural crime prevention, whilst allowing them the opportunity to network with potential employers. This year two of our BSc students have taken up posts within the Environment Agency Fisheries team here in the South-East.”
Dave Wilkins, South East Region Enforcement Support Manager for the Angling Trust, adds: “The Angling Trust’s, Fisheries Enforcement Support Service (FESS) is funded from rod licence money. As part of its work the FESS works in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA) to run training days for Police Forces under the banner of Operation Traverse the National EA and Police Angling Crime initiative.
“These days allow us to fully explore all aspects of angling law and licensing and give the Officers and staff who attend practical experience of tackle, nets, lines and traps and how to deal with common scenario’s that they may be called to in response to calls from the public. The attendees also get a chance to ‘have a go’ at fishing to fully experience all aspects of fishing.
“We could not run these important days without the support of partners like Hadlow College who kindly hosted these events in Kent so a massive thank you!”
Inspector Tom Mepstead of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force says: “The legislation around freshwater fish is there for an important reason and we will always seek to take appropriate and proportionate action when any offences are committed.
“Officers from both the Rural Task Force and Beat Teams were very grateful to be invited to participate in this event by the Angling Trust and Hadlow College to help refresh their knowledge and understanding of the law.”
Dave Webb at the Environment Agency, adds: “Partnership working is essential in improving our response to fisheries crime, the training days were an excellent example in how we can improve understanding and response to fishery offences.”
To report an environmental incident such as collapsed or badly damaged river banks, dead fish or fish gasping for air or poaching or illegal fishing call the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60. It is free to call and open 24 hours a day.
Hadlow College is Kent’s only rural and land-based college and has a range of specialist fisheries facilities.
These include Grove Farm Fishing Lake, where the training days took place, which is a 2-hectare mixed coarse fishing lake and growing on ponds. It operates as a commercial fishery and fish farm, providing students with practical skills in carp husbandry, modern fisheries management practises and all aspects of fish farming and relevant legislation.
If you are interested in studying the subject visit the Fisheries Management page of the Hadlow College website.