A man in Bristol has been arrested on suspicion of baiting badgers and possession of weapons after police found dogs, a crossbow and a machete on a raid. 

Officers from the Avon and Somerset Police Rural Affairs Unit and Neighbourhood Policing teams carried out warrants at two Bristol addresses on Friday, April 14.

Here they arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of badger baiting, sett interference, animal cruelty, being in possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis) and being in possession of offensive weapons.

Sergeant Katie Maun said: “The arrest follows a joint investigation between police and the RSPCA in response to intelligence provided last year by Naturewatch.

“During the warrant, we seized four dogs, veterinary-grade medication, and cannabis along with a number of non-firearms weapons, including the crossbow and a machete.

“We take offences of this nature very seriously and our enquiries are ongoing.”

The man has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.