Fishing enforcement patrols are being stepped up after a rise in illegal anglers in Kent.

In the last six months, the Environment Agency has issued more than 360 offence report forms to illegal anglers – 40 more than by this time last year.

Among those caught recently were men fishing without a licence near Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury.

Those who fish illegally can be fined up to £2,500 and equipment can also be seized.

To fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in England and Wales you need to have a valid fishing licence.

You also need permission to fish from the landowner or whoever holds the fishing rights.

Any angler aged 13 or over fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence to fish and the Environment Agency inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.

Cases in March and June this year at Hastings and Folkestone Magistrates’ Courts saw multiple men fined.

Robert George Brealy, 27, from Herne Bay was caught fishing without a licence at Longshaw Fisheries in Canterbury and was fined £247.

Brandan Woodger, 23, from Aylesford was caught fishing without a licence at Orchard Place Farm in Tonbridge and was fined £443.

Marcus Taylor, 28, from Tunbridge Wells was caught fishing without a licence and was also fined for failing to state his name and address to a voluntary water bailiff when fishing at Elphicks Farm Lakes in Horsmonden – he was fined £345.

In June, an investigation was launched after a group of men broke into a private lake near Lullingstone Country Park in Eynsford to fish illegally.

A pair of anglers were also fined more than £500 after illegal fishing at Monk Lakes, near Marden and Wilderness Lake in East Grinstead last year.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “This concerning recent rise in illegal fishing is not only harmful to fish populations but also has a detrimental effect on the environment and surrounding wildlife, as well as cheating law-abiding anglers.

“People who don’t buy a licence are not only cheating other anglers and the future of the sport but are running the risk of criminal conviction and a fine. There is no excuse – it costs just £33 for a whole year, and you can buy a fishing licence online.

“We track criminals on an intelligence led basis using information gathered by ourselves, the police and other partners and reports from the public.”

People are advised to report illegal fishing as quickly as possible by calling the incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.