Patrols will be carried out at a popular park in an effort to clampdown on illegal fishing.

Over the past three years, the Environment Agency has supported the Fen Park Friends (FPF) in the battle against illegal fishing and licence avoidance.

While it is free to anyone aged over 12 to fish, you do have to have an Environment Agency licence.

On Saturday (November 19) FPF hosted a visit from the agency and Suffolk Constabulary.

Clare Strachan, chairman of FPF, said: 'We do find a lot of people are fishing without a licence and we have had trouble with people running away.

'We'd like to encourage our fishermen and women to ensure that their licences and tackle are in order as they can face fines for failing to comply with the law.

'They are also obliged to produce licences for police if asked to do so.'

Mrs Strachan added: 'Since 2014 Nick Beardmore, from the fisheries enforcement team at the Environment Agency, has been supporting Fen Park Friends in the battle against illegal fishing and licence avoidance on Fen Park, which is a private water in Kirkley that the Friends have stocked with various species of fish as part of their partnership work with Waveney Norse and Waveney District Council.

'On Saturday myself and Mr Beardmore were joined for the first time by PC Chris Saddler, from Suffolk Constabulary, to form a new partnership. With the support of the police we will be able to ensure more licences can be checked.

'This is a fantastic example of partnership work and as a committee we are grateful to Nick Beardmore and the Environment Agency for their support and also Suffolk Constabulary for their support.'