Three men have been arrested in connection to poaching and firearms offences in west Dorset.

Earlier today, police arrested two men from Poole and one from Bournemouth and seized a quantity of equipment used for poaching.

Police say that air weapons, drugs, thermals and other bits of poaching equipment were seized from three separate addresses. The weapons will be assessed by ballistics experts.

The men have since been released on bail.

A spokesperson for the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: "Today, police from the Rural Crime Team were supported by Poole’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, in executing planned arrests and searches in relation to poaching and firearms offences reported in the west Dorset area.

"Two men from Poole and one male from Bournemouth were arrested for offences under the Night Poaching Act, the Firearms Act and the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"They have since been released with bail conditions, whilst the investigation continues.

"A quantity of air weapons, drugs. thermals and various other equipment for poaching were seized from three separate addresses.

"These weapons will now be sent to our ballistic experts to examine the legality of them.

"Please continue to report any illegal poaching activity to us so that we can disrupt offenders effectively."