A MAN spotted dumping about 30 signal crayfish onto a road has been cautioned by police.

He was seen by an off-duty officer at about 8pm on August 13, in Church Green, Witney.

The 20-year-old from Witney admitted the offence and has been given a caution for Releasing into the Wild a Schedule 9 Part 1 animal.

Dumping crayfish is contrary to section 14 1B and 214 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Thames Valley Police say they do not hold data of any previous incidents .

Church Green is less than half a mile from the River Windrush.

The shellfish can have a negative impact on smaller native crayfish as well as other wildlife and ecosystems.

Brought to the UK by fish farmers in the 1970s, the signal crayfish are bigger, stronger and breed faster than the native white-clawed variety.