A group of men were arrested on suspicion of daytime poaching after police caught them with lurcher dogs on farmland.

On Wednesday evening, officers in Pendle were patrolling in rural areas after receiving numerous complaints of an increase in poaching incidents as well as theft of farming equipment.

Three men were spotted hunting with dogs on farmland in the Trawden area and a chase ensued.

Following the pursuit, by which the men tried to use the river to escape, two were detained and arrested.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Officers from Pendle team four have been out and about in our rural areas after an increase in complaints of poaching incidents and theft of farming equipment.

"We would like to thank all those involved on Wednesday night in the pursuit of a group of males seen hunting with dogs on farm land in the Trawden area.

"Despite their best efforts two of the three males were detained as they tried to use the river to escape the area.

"Both reported for summons for daytime poaching."

In the early hours of Thursday morning, another two men were intercepted and deterred from entering private land with lurchers and lamping equipment.

The spokesperson added: "On Thursday a further two males have in the early hours of the morning, been intercepted and deterred from entering private land with lurchers and lamping equipment.

"Neither male had permission to hunt on the land.

"They were forced to quit the land and leave the area."