THE net is closing on a gang of poachers threatening the survival of a deer population.

Intelligence passed to the police by countryside wardens, walkers and bird watchers includes the registration numbers of vehicles used by hunters who are systematically exterminating the roe deer population on Teesside.

A police spotter plane is expected to co-ordinate and video the operation from the air, while police officers on the ground close in on those responsible.

The operation will involve wildlife experts, the force's road policing unit and a vet - not only to check on the gang's quarry, but the health of the dogs the poachers use to run their quarry down.

The Northern Echo knows the area where police will swoop, but has agreed not to reveal the location before the operation is mounted.

PC Rob King, who co-ordinates anti-wildlife crime measures for Cleveland Police, said: "The majority of the work we do is based on information and intelligence we get from members of the public.

"Currently, we have sufficient intelligence to mount an operation against a group who are involved in wildlife crime; a group of organised poachers."

PC King first heard of the group's activities five months ago.

He said: "For this group, it is a commonplace activity - not just a one-off. They are hitting the same area time and time again. That is of concern because a deer population will be decimated if they are not caught.''

He suspects the venison is being delivered to pub, restaurant and hotel back doors.

"The venison is going to end up in the food chain, but it will be tainted meat, as it will not have been properly dealt with," he said.

"A lot of people we get for these offences are known to the police for other things. Weekends and evenings tend to be their playtime."

PC King said: "We know some of these people fill their vehicles to the gunwales."

Wildlife watchers and countryside wardens have been supplying PC King and his colleagues with sightings of the poachers, and details of the vehicles the poachers use.