A crime-busting "fish watch" scheme is expanding by trying to thwart smugglers introducing fish to Essex rivers.

Since Essex Angling Watch was launched a year ago it has helped clamp down on theft and a number of arrests have been made.

And now it is to concentrate on the wider problem of fish being illegally brought in from abroad and spreading disease.

Essex Angling Watch spokesman Peter Morris, of Basildon, said trade routes from Harwich were particularly popular with smugglers because of their easy access to the Continent.

He said anglers needed to be particularly wary of sturgeon being brought into the country.

The scheme is run like a Neighbourhood Watch with anglers keeping an eye out for crime and circulating warnings.

Mr Morris urged anglers to keep a closer eye on equipment and to keep an inventory so stolen property can be identified if it is recovered by police.

Anglers have also been advised to mark their equipment with security markers.

The watch holds four meetings a year and has produced a newsletter to keep anglers informed on developments.

And it is hoped that a news sheet, funded by local tackle shops and dealers advertising, will also be published.

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