Police probe fish battering (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Police probe fish battering

10:02am Wednesday 23rd August 2006

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POLICE are continuing their hunt for a gang of baseball bat wielding hunt saboteurs who attacked anglers in Caton.

A group of around 30 protesters allegedly smashed up rods, damaged cars and started fights in an unprovoked raid.

They are believed to have targeted the fly-fishermen and women after failing to find shooting parties to disrupt.

One of the anglers, nurse Lucy Belson, says she was looking forward to a peaceful day's fishing' with a friend when the gang arrived wearing black facemasks and clothes.

"They began throwing stones at my rod and one of them said It's the easy way or the hard way. You've been sabbed.' They told me to pack up and go or I was going to get wet,'" says Miss Belson.

A fight then broke out as two men on a nearby bank struggled with the protesters.

"I decided to get out of there and go home but they suddenly ran towards me waving bats and blocks of wood shouting get her.' I was jostled about and they smashed my fishing rod.

"I was shaken at the time but now I am angry. They are cowards and I certainly won't be frightened to go back to the lake," says Miss Belson.

The man leading the investigation into the alleged incidents, Inspector Dave Tuer, says: "All we can say at this moment is that our investi-gations into this alleged incident are ongoing.

"There was some suggestion that is was linked to an indicent at Lowgill - but we have now closed our enquiries into that incident."

To help police, call 01524-63333 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.

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