A river bailiff who was left with permanent spinal injuries after being attacked while out on patrol has issued a warning to anglers illegally fishing in Burton. John Anderson has said bailiffs will be carrying out more sting operations over the coming |
He will be out with the police, bailiffs from various angling clubs, as well as representatives from other organisations to catch rule breakers.
It comes after people fishing with a licence or cruel fishing practices already being successfully prosecuted from previous stings. He has told how he will not be put off despite being attacked by some of those he has caught.
One such attack left him in hospital and with permanent problems with his back after being attacked with a knife, he said. However, this will not stop him and he has plenty of stings planned for the coming months, he said.
Mr Anderson said: "Burton Trent Partnership will be running more sting operations along the River Trent through Burton and beyond.
The police, Angling Trust VBS bailiffs and club bailiffs from Coors Angling Club and Ferry Bridge Angling Club will join forces to run a series of stings along the Trent looking for illegal angling and rural crime.
"The people that commit these offences can be very cruel. I have been attacked on a few occasions whilst carrying out my duties as a water bailiff. One incident left me hospitalised from an attack with a knife that has given me permanent spinal issues.
"The issues I will be briefing the officers and bailiffs on are illegal angling techniques, fishing without a rod licence, and theft of fishing rights. We will also be looking for any other illegal activities.
"Since our first sting in 2020 which led to prosecutions and hefty fines, incidents had reduced for some time due to five stings being conducted up to the end of 2021.
Issues reported by our bailiffs are starting to increase again so the time is right to start a new series of stings. We will naturally report the results."
List of common angling offences the patrols will be looking out for:
- Coarse fishing in the closed season is an offence under National bylaw no. 6 (the environment agency have the powers to make these bylaws).
- Fishing without rod licence is an offence is under Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act section 27a.
- Intending to fish without a rod licence, under Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act section 27b
- Theft of fishing rights. Fishing without the permission of the person or body that holds the rights to fish in a body of water under Section 1. of the theft act 1968
- Theft of fish from a stillwater, Section 1. of the theft act 1968.
- Theft of fish from a river, Schedule 1. of the theft act 1968 but many legal complications.
- Both thefts of fish from stillwater and rivers have various mentions in parts of the Theft Act