Poacher Watch, made up of landowners, farmers and police, aims to tackle the problem by sharing information and increased vigilance.

Originally set up in the south of the county, the scheme is being expanded to the rest of Lincolnshire.

Police say poaching is often connected with other types of crime.

Badly mutilated

Landowners and farmers say the problem there is huge, with incidents reported on an almost nightly basis.

The poachers are killing both wild deer and badgers, in what is being described as a 'barbaric' crime.

Local farmers say they are regularly coming across the carcasses of badly mutilated animals.

Lincolnshire Police have met with landowners, farmers and gamekeepers in Brocklesby near Caistor.

Tools stolen

It has been decided that Poacher Watch, originally covering south Lincolnshire, will now be extended.

Police say they are also concerned about the link between poaching and other rural crime.

They say night time poaching gives people the opportunity to build up a good knowledge of an area, which can be useful for crime such as burglary.

Some poachers have broken into workshops to steal power tools and other equipment.