While most were asleep on Christmas Day, Surrey Police officers were busy apprehending two armed poachers on Titsey Hill in Oxted. Just before midnight on December 25th, a man was seen moving stealthily through the woods carrying a large sack. However, this wasn’t Father Christmas running late with gifts. Accompanying the man was a second individual armed with a firearm.
The situation prompted a rapid response from Surrey Police’s armed response officers, who were expertly guided by colleagues in the National Police Air Service (NPAS). With seamless coordination, the officers successfully tracked and detained the suspects in an armed stop.
Upon searching the men, officers seized an air rifle and a sack filled with dead pheasants. The two men, Anas Abdulla Azizi, 21, from Brighton, and Sirwan Muhammad Salih, 41, from Derby, were promptly arrested for night poaching. Both men pleaded guilty on May 21st at Guildford Crown Court and were ordered to pay compensation.
Night poaching, typically conducted under the cover of darkness using lights and firearms, poses significant risks and can result in substantial financial losses for gamekeepers, farmers, and landowners. These individuals often face dangerous encounters when attempting to confront armed offenders on their properties.
Surrey Police urge anyone who suspects a poaching offence to report it immediately by calling 999. The swift and coordinated response in this case highlights the importance of vigilance and prompt action in tackling such crimes and protecting local wildlife and livelihoods.
