A BADGER sett was attacked in the Scammonden area.

And police are warning poachers to stay away or face prosecution.

It’s thought poachers had attempted to remove a heavy stone and rubble in a bid to dig up the badger set.

It was discovered by Kenneth Booth of the Calderdale Badger Monitor Group, but it’s not thought that any badgers were taken.

Edward Ashman, chairman of the Group, said: “It’s happening around here because there are individuals in our community who regard the killing of badgers as a sport.

“I’d say there are two or three incidents in Calderdale every year that we’re aware of, but these people will carry on regardless of what the law says.”

He says that food left out for the badgers has been touched, which is a good sign that they survived the attack.

The incident is being investigated by the police’s Calderdale district wildlife officer Special Constable Phil Sanderson.

SC Sanderson said: “The area has an active badger monitor group who monitor all the setts in Calderdale on a regular basis and report all matters of interference or concern to the police.

“Badgers are a protected species by law, as is their habitation and anyone found interfering with a badger set could face prosecution.

“Poachers can be charged with many offences, including criminal damage and theft, and will face arrest and conviction and the seizure of any vehicles, equipment and dogs used in the crimes.

“Poachers can also face disqualification from driving if they are using their vehicles for crime.”

SC Sanderson said there had been three attacks on badger sets in the Barkisland area this year, mainly in the Black Brook valley area.

It is against the law to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger, mistreat a badger, dig for a badger, intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy or disturb a badger sett.

Nationally the current situation with badgers in the countryside has led to arguments on how to control bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle

A licence for a trial cull of badgers was issued in Gloucestershire and West Somerset, but it has faced great opposition.

Sir David Attenborough and Brian May are among those opposing the cull and The Badger Trust is challenging the gassing scheme.

Mr Ashman says that there are no cases of TB in Yorkshire, therefore there is no case for culling the animals.

Badgers are usually targeted early in the morning or at dusk when they leave and return to their sett. Walkers in the Scammonden beauty spot are asked to be on the lookout for poachers.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Special Constable Phil Sanderson or PC Fiona Igo at Todmorden Police Station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.