MORE than 50 targeted patrols have been carried out in a clamp down on illegal fishing in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

Environment Agency enforcement teams across the Thames Valley and Surrey have been busy cracking down on illegal fishing during the first few weeks of the coarse fish close season.

Officers carried out more than 50 targeted patrols and said two anglers have been reported for close season offences.

Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer Nick Robinson said: "This is an excellent reflection of the work we’ve done across the Thames Valley and Surrey to educate anglers and members of the public about the laws of fishing.

"We have been working with angling clubs, club bailiffs and tackle shops to raise awareness.

"The close season is in place to help natural fish populations spawn, so it is illegal to fish during this time on rivers and some protected still waters.

"For example, you can’t fish for coarse fish on any river in England and Wales from March 15 to June 15."

The local work is just part of the EA's work to tackle illegal fishing in a national scheme nicknamed Operation Clampdown.

In partnership with the Angling Trust, the EA is working with 240 volunteers nationwide, trained to keep watch on their local waters and report incidents.

The multi-agency initiative focusing on illegal fishing during the close season is now a national operation for the first time.