A police helicopter was used to catch a poacher and seize evidence from farmland in Buckinghamshire.

Officers from Thames Valley Police’s Princes Risborough Neighbourhood Team received reports of poachers on land in the town on Saturday, May 4.

On Saturday evening, they joined forces with the force’s Roads Policing squad and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) to survey the area.

An NPAS helicopter was deployed over farmland in Princes Risborough and helped to identify one suspect. 

Thanks to the coordinated policing work, evidence of poaching was also seized during the surveillance operation.  

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The force classifies poaching alongside animal cruelty, habitat destruction and illegal fishing as a wildlife crime.

Reports of wildlife crimes can be made on the Thames Valley Police website.

If a crime is spotted while it’s still happening or someone is in danger, members of the public are encouraged to call 999.

Wildlife crime can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.