POACHING on the River Aire is on the increase, it is feared.

An angling club says two men were caught allegedly stealing fish from the stretch at Utley, near Keighley, while friends and family prepared to barbecue the catch.

And bosses at Keighley Angling Club say evidence has been found on the riverbank of activity by other poachers.

Now action is being demanded to help reel in the offenders.

In last month's incident, an angler and ex-Environment Agency bailiff challenged the two men and evicted them when they were unable to produce documents showing any right to fish there.

He also took photos.

Club chairman Fred Farrington says the matter was reported to the police, who initially told them no crime had been committed.

"When we pushed it the police issued a crime number and promised to investigate," he said.

"Fish theft is a crime which occurs not only here but in rivers, canals and private fisheries across the UK.

"This was not an isolated incident. We know it has happened before because local anglers have told us they have seen evidence of discarded barbecues along with fish skeletons on our riverbanks.

"We have had enough now and want to know we can rely on police support to bring criminals to justice.

"Hopefully it will act as a deterrent when word spreads through the community that firm, decisive action will be taken."

The club owns the fishing rights for most of the river through Keighley and Mr Farrington said signage made it clear that to fish there without a licence was illegal.

"We are determined to look after club members who pay for the privilege of fishing," said the 69-year-old.

"Our membership costs remain very competitive – £35 a year for adults – with waters offering a wide variety of species, but it is annoying and bewildering why some people choose not to join our club to fish legally.

"We need to put a stop to those who steal fish."

The club is stepping up its own monitoring activities and any problems will be reported.

A police spokesman said last month's incident at Utley had been recorded as a theft, but that investigations into illegal fishing were led by the Environment Agency.

Peter Mischenko, the agency's fisheries officer, told us: "We are aware of the reports of illegal fishing activity on the River Aire at Keighley and are investigating.

"We carry out regular rod licence checks to crack down on illegal fishing.

"We use intelligence gathered previously to indicate the locations across Yorkshire where anglers are likely to be fishing illegally and concentrate our efforts towards those areas. We continue to target waters where evasion and illegal activity is high and those caught may be prosecuted."

He added: "Our officers have visited nearly 100 waters across Yorkshire looking for fishing offences this year.

"Of 894 anglers checked, 94 were reported for offences.

"To help crack down on unlicensed fishing we urge anyone to report illegal activity by calling 0800 80 70 60."

Anyone caught fishing without a licence can be fined up to £2,500.