Witney News - Angling robbery - Witney

Angling robbery - Witney

Police are appealing for witnesses after an angler had his equipment stolen at knifepoint near Witney during the early hours of Sunday morning (8th June).

At around 3.30am at Richworth Linear Fisheries at Hardwick Quarry, which is renowned for its carp fishing, two youths were disturbed by a 40-year-old fisherman as they attempted to steal his fishing gear.

One of them produced a knife and threatened him with it while the other took all his equipment and the pair ran off to a waiting van or truck, which then drove off. It is believed there was a third person driving the vehicle.

The equipment stolen is valued at approximately £2,500. It included:

1 Nash rod pod with stainless steel legs
3 Delkim TXI bite alarms
3 Grey’s Prodigy 13ft carp rods, coloured very dark green.
3 Daiwa Basia reels, silver-coloured.

The two offenders are in their late teens, both around 6ft tall and spoke with a Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire accent.

Det Con Paddy O’Grady, from Witney CID, said: “I would like to warn anglers to take care. There have been other recent minor thefts of gear in the area, but this is the first robbery and this step up in seriousness concerns us.

“These two youths were hanging around for a while before this robbery – they were first heard around 1.30am – and were talking briefly to anglers about whether or not they had had any success. If you were there at the time and spoke to these youths, please get in touch.

“If you are out night fishing, please keep an eye out for anyone who seems as though they shouldn’t be there or for suspicious vehicles parked up nearby. If you are worried, call 999 immediately.

“Finally, can I ask for anyone who has been offered this equipment or seen it on sale, perhaps on the internet or at a car boot sale, to get in touch. If you see expensive fishing equipment on sale for price well below the market value then it could well be stolen.”

DC O’Grady can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don’t want to talk to police and don’t want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.