Images released after fish poaching in Water End

Police investigating the poaching of fish from the River Gade near Hemel Hempstead have released images of two men they would like to speak to as part of their enquiries.

It happened off the Leighton Buzzard Road in Water End just before 5.45pm on Sunday 19 April.

Two people were seen fishing and removing several trout from the river, which is illegal as only those with the correct permissions are able to fish in that stretch of the water.

Sergeant Ryan Hemmings, from the Rural Operational Support Team, said: ‘We have been conducting enquiries into this incident and would now like to release these images to the public in the hope we can identify the people pictured, as we believe they may have information that could assist our investigation. If you recognise them, please get in touch.

‘Some may hold the view that the police should not be investigating this type of offence, however we would like to reassure the angling community that we take all reports of poaching very seriously and are committed to exhausting all lines of enquiry we have.

‘It has not gone unnoticed that this crime was also committed during a period of time when fishing was not included on the government’s list of acceptable reasons to be outside of the home. However, these restrictions have now been relaxed and anglers are once again able to enjoy their hobby while responsibly socially-distancing.’

If you have any information, please email investigating officer Sergeant Karen Mellor at karen.mellor@herts.pnn.police.uk, report information online at herts.police.uk/report, talk to one of the Force Communication Room operators via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or call the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 41/35212/20.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

If you are contacting police to report a COVID-19 related crime, such as a mass gathering, please ensure that you use the online methods of reporting where possible as this will free up telephone lines for urgent 999 calls.

You can tell the Constabulary what matters most to you about policing, crime or anti-social behaviour in Hertfordshire using echo. Go to bit.ly/herts-echo and have your say.