A POLICE inquiry has been launched after badger setts were illegally blocked.

Disturbed setts were found in Pinbury Park near Sapperton earlier this month.

Animal rights campaigner Mike Haines said situations like this were becoming more and more common.

“This shouldn’t be allowed to happen anywhere but you find that it is happening all the time,” he said.

“Whoever is responsible for this purposely dug all the soil into the sett. Give me a good reason why any set should be blocked. The people who did this should be allowed in the countryside.”

Mr Haines said that there is no chance of this happening accidentally as the setts are located close to a public footpath.

The Bathurst Estate, which owns Pinbury Park, condemned the actions of those who tampered with the setts.

“We were not aware that this had taken place but we absolutely do not condone this. It is against the law,” said Edward Allsop, resident agent at the Bathurst Estate.

Officers from Gloucestershire police were called to investigate the setts at 1.40pm on Monday, February 3.

A spokesman said a wildlife specialist has since attended and advised the tenants of what had been going on.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Gloucestershire police on 101, quoting incident number 226 of February 3.