THREE people are facing prosecution after they were suspected to be poaching eels from the River Severn in Upton for profit.

The three people- no further details about them were disclosed to the Gazette- were intervened by officers from the Environment Agency, as part of Operation Stone, an operation to crackdown on the illegal removal of fish from rivers.

Al Watson, of the Environment Agency, said: "There are groups of people who are targeting the River Severn, by rod and line, we think for commercial purposes. It is unlawful to remove any eel caught by rod and line.

"We think these three people were trying to catch eels. The eels' population levels are declining, especially in elvers- young eels.

"Eels have a relatively high market value and are easier to catch at night.

"They have been reported, and now face potential prosecution by the courts.

"Those who know they are breaking the law by removing fish species from rivers can have a significant impact on fish stocks if they persist, so we do all we can to disrupt their activity, which may involve arrest, seizure of equipment and prosecution.

"We have learned that many of the offenders travel significant distances to fish our local rivers, sometimes coming from Birmingham and London.”

The alleged offenders were intervened by agency officers on the night of Saturday, September 20, into the morning of the following Sunday.

Operation Stone is targeting illegal fishing in the Worcester, Evesham and Gloucestershire areas, and is part of a national crackdown, called Project Trespass, with the Environment Agency and police forces working in partnership.

Mr Watson said: "We rely on intelligence from all sources, including social media, phone calls or stopping our officers, out on patrol, and informing us of crimes.

"We appeal to anybody who has information that could help us to call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call the agency on 0800 807060.