Five arrests made after rural residents tell police about suspected poaching

Five men have been arrested after rural residents called the police about suspected poaching crimes occurring on North Yorkshire farmland.

North Yorkshire Police received a call on Friday 12 May, when a 4x4 vehicle in a field and a high-powered torch were being used near Kilburn.

Officers responded immediately, and found a group of five men on the side of the road with two dogs, one of which was attacking a badger.

As soon as police arrived, the men got into a black Jeep Cherokee and made off at speed, abandoning the dogs as they did so.

Officers searched the area, and soon located the car off the A170 near Felixkirk.