Police remind members of the public that damaging or interferring with a badger sett can carry a fine of up to £5,000 and a six-month prison sentence.

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Police in Honiton are warning members of the public that causing deliberate damage to a badger sett can carry a fine of up to £5,000 and a six-month prison sentence.

The warning comes after a badger sett was damaged in the Upottery area.

PCSO Phil Anning told the Midweek Herald that badgers and their setts are protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act.

He said: “We are aware that this is a very controversial subject, however there are specific laws to protect badgers.”

This means it is a criminal offence to kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat a badger or attempt to do so.

It is also an offence to damage or destroy a sett, obstruct access to or any entrance of a badger sett, causing a dog to enter a sett or disturbing a badger when it is occupying a sett.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call police on 101, quoting crime reference KH/12/944.

PCSO Anning also urged the public to report any similar damage or disturbances to badger setts or to get in touch if they see any suspicious activity in the vicinity of a badger sett.