Anarchy in the U.K.: As Grocery Prices Rise, So Does Poaching

The United Kingdom, from Scotland to Wales, to the outskirts of London is seeing a three-fold rise in incidents of poaching this year, according to the Independent.

Authorities say that rather than individuals looking for supper, however, the poachers seem to be professional black-marketers, taking everything from food game like deer, rabbits and pheasants, to other valuable resale species like mussels (for their pearls) and even bluebell bulbs.

In addition to the damage to the environment and to protected species, authorities are concerned about vigilantism among people living on or near the land being trespassed.  Says farm owner, Michael Colston, "What I really fear is that with 10 attacks in just three weeks, some people are beginning to talk about taking the law into their own hands. Something could very well happen. I am very much against this, of course, but these gamekeepers, farmers and residents are terrified."

What's so scary about a poacher?  According to the president of the Country Land and Business Association, Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, "Many poachers are inexperienced shots and…if they are shooting at night and on ground they do not know there is also a raised risk of accidentally shooting someone or something else by mistake."

It might be best then, for would-be poacher poachers to stay well indoors and leave the matter to the police.