Chorley Police have arrested five men following reports of a poaching incident in the Coppull area.

Officers were called in the early hours of yesterday to Bradley Lane, Standish, following a tip-off from the public.

A search found several items, including thermal scopes, hunting lamps and call whistles were seized along with the vehicle under the Hunting Act.

Five men, aged between 18 and 37 from the Wigan area were detained for wildlife offences.

It is part of a national operation, known as Op Galileo, to tackle hare coursing and poaching co-ordination by The National Wildlife Crime Unit.

A Police spokesperson said: “In the early hours of yesterday, (Tuesday 8th October, 2024), following information from the public, officers from the South Rural Task Force responded to reports of poaching in the Coppull area.    

“On arrival, officers stopped a vehicle on Bradley Lane.

“Five men, aged between, 18 and 37 from the Wigan area were detained for wildlife offences.”