POLICE have warned farmers in Middlewich to be on their guard after 7,000 predatory mink were released by animal rights activists.

It is feared the mink, which were freed from cages last Thursday at a farm in Onneley on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border, are heading for south Cheshire.

Middlewich landowners have been advised to report all sightings to police and an emergency operation to capture the mink has swung into action involving Cheshire Police, the National Farmers Union, the Environment Agency, British Waterways, English Nature, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Cheshire Countryside Rangers.

Up to 4,000 of the mink were trapped in a compound opposite the farm in Onneley but 2,000 to 3,000 creatures are still thought to be roaming the Cheshire countryside.

Parents have been advised to keep children and pets indoors away from the potentially ferocious animals.

A police spokesman said: "There's no way of knowing whether any of the released mink have made their way into Cheshire so we have to take precautions.

"People have no need to be afraid because the mink are unlikely to attack humans. However, we need people to report sitings to the police on 01244 612218.

"It's the intention to trap rather than shoot any mink found in the area and we will be working with the local landowners and the Wildlife Trust to the effect that more than 100 traps are being brought into the area and may be used for this purpose.

"Police are actively discouraging private trapping or shooting on site of any mink.

"We want farmers to report sitings to us rather than take action independently."

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