Investigation launched into fleet of 4x4s driving down Shropshire riverbed

At least four off-road cars were seen driving along the river bed before being reported to the Environment Agency, which said it could not disclose the exact location due to ongoing investigations.

The agency is now warning the drivers they could be subject to legal proceedings.

Chris Bainger, fisheries technical specialist with the agency, fears that other 4x4 drivers could be tempted to try this kind of off-roading as they venture into the countryside following the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.

He said: "Do they realise the harm they may be doing? They are directly crushing any ecology, and while some fish, like trout and larger juvenile salmon, may be able to get away, small salmon won’t escape.

"Plus, if there are a number of vehicles following each other they are damaging the sensitive gravel on the riverbed. That means fish will be less able to successfully spawn later in the year.

"Additionally the churned-up sediment smothers the river bed and the small creatures that live within it.

"Those are an essential part of the food chain for larger aquatic wildlife in the river. The knock on effect is longer-term stress on the localised environment."

Anyone who is found to have driven along a river could be subject to criminal proceedings under the Wildlife and Countryside Act or civil proceedings for trespassing.

Mr Bainger added: “The Environment Agency does issue permits for work to be carried out in rivers at certain times of the year that don’t interfere with spawning. But, as for driving along a river, while you can drive through a ford, no one should be driving down a river bed. If anyone has evidence of this, it should be reported to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers."

Anyone with information can contact West Mercia Police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org