Shropshire anglers will be fined if caught fishing without licence

On its third operation of the year, teams from the Angling Trust, West Mercia Police and the Environment Agency visited pools around Telford to prevent anti-social behaviour and check for fishing licences.

And while there were only four anglers fishing without a licence or using too many rods in the town that evening, other fishers said they were happy to see that the law was being upheld.

Kevin Pearson, regional enforcement manager for the Angling Trust in the Midlands, said: "The Fishing Enforcement Support Service has been going since last November, but before that Operation Leviathan, which deals with fish theft and illegal angling, has been going since June 2015.

"All partnership working is successful. There's an opportunity for all agencies involved to tackle problems that are relevant to them and their area of work.

"The Environment Agency is out to find people fishing without a rod licence or maybe fish being removed illegally. The police can support that with the same powers but can tackle those venues where there's been drug taking and anti-social behaviour, and at the Angling Trust we want as many anglers as possible to know we're supporting fishing, so people can see we have a strong presence for their safety and to protect the waterways and prevent further fish losses."

Ralph Machin, of the business and rural crime team at West Mercia Police, said: "From a police perspective, we've got the protection of the environment and things like this can upset local neighbourhoods.

"The safer neighbourhood team are very concious of the impact that illegal fishing and anti-social behaviour can have on a locality, and it can bring an area down.

"It's important we work together because through partnership working it's a much stronger approach by the whole team. This is our third operation, but even getting the word out promotes the work of the teams to protect the environment for the people of Telford. It's a very successful partnership."

Nigel Law, 50, who lives in Jubilee Avenue, in Donnington, said he felt much better for seeing that the team was enforcing the rules.

He said: "For £27 I can't see why anybody would fish without a licence. It's no good getting nice gear only for someone to come and take it off you. That's just stupid.

"Why would you take a fish anyway? I've just caught a fish, had a great amount of enjoyment with it, and then I've chucked it back. Hopefully soon someone else can come out and have the same amount of enjoyment."