A new task force has been set up to tackle poaching, illegal slaughter, livestock theft and subsequent illegal meat supplies.

The new regional multi-agency working group, backed by Crimestoppers, will include the police, environmental health and trading standards teams, the Food Standard Agency and a number of rural and agricultural organisations.

Organisers say the issues are not just restricted to single instances of criminality, but, on occasions, are linked to wide scale organised crime that compromise animal welfare and food safety.

The organisations plan to share information and combine powers, knowledge and skills to target and disrupt criminal activity, endeavouring to provide a safe community and level playing field for legitimate businesses.

The agencies want to hear from people with information regarding anyone who may be:

Poaching deer or theft of livestock

Trespassing with dogs or firearms

Involved in illegal slaughtering

Selling illegally processed meat

To report a crime (including poaching after the crime has taken place) please phone 101 or email  [email protected]  .

 You can report any suspicions of illegal food production by calling Cornwall Council’s food safety team on 0300 1234 212.  Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.