POLICE are stepping up patrols because of an increase in deer poaching across the Ribble Valley.

Cruel methods are being used by gangs to snare and kill deer so they can sell the meat on the black market Officers fear many of the incidents reported in the county could be down to “highly organised gangs” who are often linked to other rural crimes, and may operate across Lancashire's boundaries.

Deer poaching has increased in the run-up to Christmas with incidents in Newton, Slaidburn, Waddington, West Bradford, Gisburn, Rimington and Chatburn.

Over the past 12 months there have been 132 incidents in East Lancashire with 29 deer related incidents in the last three months.

Officers are stepping up activity across the county to disrupt and catch poachers, but have appealed for help from residents in rural areas who suspect that poaching is taking place near them.

Hundreds of deer are lawfully and professionally culled by trained deer stalkers every year, but many more are killed by poachers looking to sell the meat on the black market.

Poachers use lamps to startle deer before setting specially bred killer dogs on them.

Lurchers are bred by crossing greyhounds or whippets with pitbull terriers or bull mastiffs, and police say the method being used in rural areas — known as lamping — is especially brutal.

The Ribble Valley is home to hundreds of roe deer and small numbers of nomadic Sika deer.

Now Lancashire Consta-bulary, is stepping up patrols in a bid to catch the poachers during their busiest period.

The force’s wildlife officer, PC Duncan Thomas, said: “There is a steady increase in deer poaching in the Ribble Valley in the run up to Christmas to satisfy the demand for venison.

“The damage and the distress caused to the deer is immense, and it’s because of this cruelty that we’re targeting these individuals. The poachers have no respect for deer seasons and will take female deer leaving their young orphaned.”

Bosses at the Environment Agency said there has also been an increase in salmon poaching in the River Ribble.

Jackie Swire, technical fisheries team leader for the North West, said this year had been a ‘poachers paradise’ due to the late rainfall.

She added: “We will prosecute poachers.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 0845 1253545 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.