Two men arrested for fish poaching offences on the River Itchen

Police have arrested two people on suspicion of fish poaching offences in Winchester. 

This follows reports at around 5.15pm yesterday of people illegally fishing on the River Itchen between Easton Lane and Church Lane.

Attending officers spoke to a group of people in the area and seized items including fishing rods, a net, air rifles and ball bearings.

An 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were both arrested on suspicion of a poaching offence, theft, and possession of a loaded firearm in a public place.

They remain in custody at this time.

The summer months generally coincide with an increase in fish poaching offences – known in law as theft of fishing rights – and sadly this can sometimes be accompanied by anti-social behaviour and even violence and intimidation towards riverkeepers or others.

We are keen for people to please keep reporting any issues of crime, anti-social behaviour or suspicious activity on our county’s river networks to police.