Fed-up residents say more should be done to stop illegal cockle-pickers stripping their beaches.

Each year teams of people are spotted along the shore of the Isle of Sheppey, filling buckets with large quantities of shellfish.

But those who have tried reporting it to no avail say they fear nothing will be done “until someone loses their life”.

Most of the activity this year has centred around Minster and Leysdown.

Collecting less than 5kg of shellfish a day is allowed for personal use in most areas, but those taking commercial quantities need a permit.

Removing cockles from Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), including Minster Leas and Shellness, is banned entirely.

Bylaws relating to harvesting shellfish from the coastline are policed and enforced by the Kent and Essex Inshore Fishery Conservation Authority (KEIFCA) but some say it does not answer when called.

Police sometimes assist the KEIFCA if wider criminality is suspected.

Mandy Yates says she has seen around 11 groups of cockle-pickers with “loads of buckets” on the Shingle Bank in Minster so far this year.

She said: “These people take buckets full and are not ashamed to do it and pretend they don’t know what they are doing.

“More should be done to stop them, but the police are not really bothered.

“And there’s no sign of the KEIFCA, even when we call there’s no answer from them.”

Mandy thinks the culprits should be fined.

In 2020, KentOnline reported that teams of illegal cockle-pickers were “raping our beaches” but the issue continues four years later.

Swale council says it has installed signs along the main stretches of the shoreline to let the public know whether shellfish collection is permitted.

But Cllr Richard Palmer (Ind), who represents Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch, is calling for more to be done about this type of crime.

He said: “Unless someone loses their life or something serious happens no-one wants to do anything about it.

“But it’s an illegal activity and the council should take action. However, there needs to be a multi-agency response.

“People living nearby try and report it, but no-one is following it up for them.”

The concern follows on from the deaths of 23 cockle pickers on February 5, 2004, who were trapped by rising tides in Morecambe Bay on the north west coast of England.

Since then the Health and Safety Executive has issued guidelines on safe-working practices when collecting shellfish, including wearing high vis clothing, knowing the tide times and having a GPS-enabled device in case of becoming stranded.

Cllr Tara Noe (Con), who represents Sheppey East on Swale council, also believes there should be more “targeted efforts” to tackle the issue.

She said: “It’s a problem that happens every year at the same time in the same places. There’s a lot of frustration. It’s reported, but nothing changes despite residents’ efforts.

“Considering that industrial-scale cockle-picking has been associated with criminal gangs, I’m deeply concerned that people may be taking risks by engaging or filming them.

“Write down the details of what you see, report it, but don’t put yourself in danger.”

Swale council says it has worked with the Kent Police, Natural England and KEIFCA for years to investigate reports of illegal shellfish harvesting around the Sheppey shoreline.

It stressed people can collect no more than 5kg of Manilla Clams and Pacific Oysters along most of the coast, with greater restrictions in SSSIs.

A council spokesperson said: “However, any shellfish collected must only be for their own consumption and not offered in exchange for money, products of services.

“Our food and safety team work with our partners to investigate reports of commercial harvesting.

“We have installed signs at the main stretches of shoreline around Sheppey to let the public know if they can or can’t collect shellfish from that beach (as attached).

“If anyone spots any shellfish collection which appears to be of a commercial nature, they can report it through the Country Eye app.”

Country Eye is an information reporting app for people living and working in rural Kent.

In response, KEIFCA said its enforcement officers have carried out regular patrols on Sheppey at low tide to intercept and inspect shellfish gatherers over the summer while activity is high.

It added: “Some of our inspections have been compliant with regulations, whereas offences have also been detected.

“We seize all illegal shellfish and issue appropriate enforcement sanctions in cases where offences have been committed.

”KEIFCA has been working for many years in partnership with relevant agencies to address illegal shellfish gathering.

“We advise that members of the public should not approach or interfere with shellfish gatherers.”

To report suspected illegal shellfish harvesting, call KEIFCA on 01843 585310 during office hours or email info@kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk. Any other suspected criminal activity should be reported to Kent Police by calling 999.