FIVE people have been arrested on suspicion of poaching after a 'pursuit' by police. 

At around 10.45pm yesterday evening (Saturday, October 19), police received a report of damage caused to a fence and suspicious activity on private land in Stoford.

Officers then attended the area and found a 4x4 vehicle matching the description given to call handlers.  

A statement from Wiltshire Police said the vehicle "made off from officers at speed and a pursuit was authorised and continued from Stapleford on the A36 until North Street in Wilton where the vehicle collided with a bridge and came to a stop". 

Five men were then seen running from the vehicle but were stopped by officers.  

The men, aged 24, 26, 29 38 and 41, were arrested on suspicion of poaching and criminal damage. 

The vehicle was seized and a number of items believed to have been involved in poaching were located inside. 

Duty Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “This was an excellent example of officers, police staff and the public working together to tackle rural crime within our communities.

"Thanks to the observant member of the public and the detailed description passed to our call handlers, officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle and make five arrests swiftly.

“As we all know, Wiltshire is a predominantly rural county and our officers cannot be everywhere at once, so joined up working like this is essential in targeting rural offenders.

"On this occasion, suspected illegal poaching has been disrupted which I hope is reassuring news to our rural communities in particular.”

All five men remain in custody for further questioning.