From North Yorkshire Police

12th May 2023

Five men are in custody after vigilant residents called us about suspected poachers in Hambleton overnight.

At about 1am this morning we received a call about a 4×4 vehicle in a field and a high-powered torch being used near Kilburn.

Our 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 we 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.

The five men inside were arrested on suspicion of wilfully killing a badger, an offence under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

The two dogs were taken to a secure location to be looked after, and the…