A JOINT anti-poaching operation between Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, Avon and Somerset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police has earned acclaim.

The three organisations received a runner up award for the National Wildlife Crime Operation of the Year at the National Wildlife Enforcers Conference.

It follows a joint anti-poaching operation earlier this year on Exmoor and work to prevent the illegal supply of poached meat into the food chain.

The annual conference brings wildlife officers from the UK’s police forces together with agencies with an interest in tackling wildlife crime.

They include the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), the Border Force, the Crown Prosecution Service, non-government organisations and councils. This year the conference was attended by over 150 representatives.

Operation Costa was a result of two and a half years of investigation and intelligence gathering and followed concerns about poaching across Exmoor by the community and the police.

The Exmoor Rural Crime Initiative was formed, public meetings were held and The South West Illegal Meat Group was set up.

The DSTSS worked closely with both police forces and the NWCU in collating the intelligence. In January 2016 business and residential properties were inspected and searched by officers from DSTSS and NCWU.

Five people were arrested and numerous shotguns and firearms were seized. One person subsequently appeared in Crown Court charged with firearms offences.

A number of meat samples were also taken and tested to establish the species of the animal product on sale. Carcasses were found at a number of addresses and tests carried out to establish the type of weapon used to kill the animals.

Cash, phones, computers and other weapons were also seized during the operation.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s deputy leader with responsibility for trading standards, said:

“Without this joined up approach and cooperation between all agencies involved and the hard work of the officers this operation wouldn’t have taken place.

“We are still working to provide collaborative enforcement with some of those involved to make sure that they are complying with their legal obligations.

“Poaching patrols are and will continue to take place across Exmoor.

“I would like to thank all agencies involved in making sure that such a response to this issue was possible.”