Suspected poachers target historic Leeds Temple Newsam estate

Officers from the Leeds District Wildlife and Rural Crime Team, the Leeds Off Road Motorcycle Team and the Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team were all drafted in this week to search for suspected poachers on quad-bikes at the historic estate.

A spokesperson said: “If you have any information about this or similar poaching incidents, please get in touch.”

An officer said: “As well as a cold, the officers have caught a number of quads and motorcycles.”

The Leeds District Wildlife and Rural Crime Team was set up this autumn to address and raise awareness of issues including animal cruelty and poaching.

It also focuses on crimes such as burglary and theft of farm machinery that affect rural and farming communities.

According the rural insurers NFU Mutual, the cost of rural crime in West Yorkshire in 2017 was estimated at £1.8m.