POACHERS are being targeted by police for trespassing on land and killing and injuring wildlife at Llanbedr Airport and the surrounding area.

North Wales Police’s Rural Crime Team who are working with Natural Resources Wales, Snowdonia National Park and local land owners, to tackle the growing problem of trespass by people who are shooting rabbits, coursing hares, causing damage to property and in one instance have caused injury to badgers.

Rural crime officer, Dewi Evans said: “Llanbedr airport is the main area of concern, although there have also been reports of damage to property on neighbouring caravan parks and within the internationally important sand dunes of Morfa Dyffryn National Nature Reserve.

“There is regular evidence of poaching, people shooting rabbits, and they have also recently gone after the badgers.

“Poachers are also usually involved in other rural crime and in this instance there has been damage to fences, signs and to caravans.

“We are working with partners and the local community to increase prevention activity, with increased patrols, and gather intelligence with the ultimate aim of enforcement success.”

PC Evans told the Cambrian News that the problem has become more severe in recent weeks and that there may be a number of different groups of people poaching in the area.

He said: “The rural crime team deal pro-actively with poaching and its associated crime, and has had success in reducing it force wide.

“A problem has been identified in and around Snowdonia Aerospace and we are now launching an initiative with our partners to tackle the issue.”

Anyone who may have information in regards to the problems at Llanbedr Airport and surrounding area are asked to contact the rural crime team on 101.