PATROLS of riverbanks along the Severn and Avon have been taking place under cover of darkness to halt illegal fishing.

Operation Stone, organised by the Environment Agency, has uncovered fishermen without licences, others killing fish as well as making people aware of the rules surrounding fishing.

At the weekend bailiffs were patrolling at Holt Fleet and work outside of office hours to catch people illegally fishing in Worcestershire.

Bill Burleigh, fisheries technical officer one, said anyone caught flouting the rules would face prosecution which could include fines between £80 and £800.

"We did find a few people who I suppose believe that under the cover of darkness they won't be caught.

"We have been out all weekend and found a few people - normally it is people without rod licences.

"They probably think we only work five days a week during office hours but we are out at all hours.

"We are picking up a few people who are from Eastern Europe and don't know our culture and this we have the same rules and they can fish where want.

"We try to educate them.

"That week we did catch one guy poaching, stealing fish, in Tewkesbury which we did work in collaboration with Gloucester Police.

"Weekend before that we did catch people killing fish and hadn't got licences."

Patrols are done at all times of day with bailiffs able to deal with offenders as they have the same powers as police.

"The important thing for us is to get across a couple of messages.

"We want to get it out there that the licence money is there to help enhance fisheries so if people don't buy them that money is being stopped.

"We want people out there fishing and it is much better to have a licence and enjoy your fishing trip than keep looking behind your shoulder waiting for the bailiffs."