Three men were this morning arrested in Penkridge on suspicion of poaching – after police found dead deer and hunting equipment in a van.

Police officers on a routine patrol made the arrests at 5.30am today after they spotted a white Peugeot van being driven along the A449 through the town.

Officers stopped the van at Preston Vale and discovered three dead deer in the back during a search of the vehicle.

They also found a modified air rifle with a gas cylinder and silencer and three hunting knives.

The arrests come just days after police in Staffordshire launched a crackdown on deer poaching in the county, following reports that deer were being taken in Cannock Chase and Bury Bank, Stone.

As part of the clampdown a number of officers, who have received specialist training in rural crime, have been out patrolling problem areas in a bid to tackle the issue.

Two 18-year-old men and a 29-year-old man, all from the Newport area of Shropshire, are currently helping with inquiries.

Anyone with information should call 0300 123 4455, or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.