THREE men were sent home with Covid fines after being stopped by police poaching patrols in North Yorkshire.

At about 10am on Sunday, January 24 police were called with a report that a blue Subaru Impreza was involved in poaching activity in the rural Bedale area.

Officers attended immediately, and – thanks to information provided by the caller – were able to locate and stop a car a short time later, in Catterick Garrison.

Inside were three men and several lurcher dogs.

The men told police they had come from County Durham to North Yorkshire to buy a dog at a service station.

All three were reported for breaching Covid-19 regulations, and issued with a dispersal order requiring them to leave the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas immediately.

Officers followed them to the border to ensure they did so.