ILLEGAL killings of wild deer at the hands of 'wildlife thugs' are on the increase across North Lincolnshire

Humberside Police, who are leading a crackdown on poaching, say there have been 116 reports of deer poaching and hare coursing by unauthorised hunters trespassing on farmers' fields this year.

The police are now joining forces with campaigners and are asking landowners to report incidents in a bid to stop poachers in their tracks as part of a new operation to combat the crime.

Malcolm Armstrong, of the Lincolnshire Deer Group, said the activity is a 'big issue that is increasing year on year'.

"They are wildlife thugs," he said. "If they cannot get deer they take sheep.

"The real problem is that at best, landowners don't take it seriously and at worst, they are not prepared to do anything about it because they are frightened of reprisals."

This year in the Brigg and Wolds area police recorded 61 incidents of hare coursing and deer poaching, along with 16 in Barton and 39 in Epworth.

The problem is so much of a countywide issue that an army of officers have been drafted in to carry out regular poaching patrols.

Sgt Elizabeth Staff, of Humberside Police, said: "We are dealing with organised gangs where large sums of money changes hands through betting on the kill. Often there is thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to crops due to the methods they use and we have received reports of farmers being threatened with firearms not to mention the cruelty aspects in relation to the animals they kill.

"I am confident we can now all work together to reduce poaching and rural crime in the North Lincolnshire area."

The issue of deer poaching was raised at a Crowle and Ealand Town Council meeting after an Isle landowner sought support to erect gates to restrict access to the dirt track between the wooded area of his land to stop any illegal poaching. His request received full support.

Town councillor Brian Duffield said: "People are down there at night with rifles. There have been some trophy killings where people have chopped a deer's head off and others do it for selling venison."

Black market venison warning – see tomorrow's Telegraph.

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