GANGS have been sneaking onto a river late at night to steal fish, it is claimed.

River Lee Angling Club, which tows its lines from the River Lee in Enfield Lock to Waltham Abbey, has been left “frustrated” by the problem.

They discovered four dead fish at the end of a long-line, which are illegal, and believe up to ten had been dotted around the pond.

Club secretary Richard McGarry believes the fish – including carp, bream and perch – are being sold off on the black market.

The 44-year-old said: “Some people have this romantic idea that poaching is carried out by an old scally wag who catches the odd rabbit, pheasant or fish for his supper.

“But the 21st century reality is that it is carried out by criminals and quite often gangs who have no considering for the law, or the environment or other waterway users.

“They are carrying out these crimes for financial gain.”

In England, once a fish has been caught on a rod and line it is unhooked, before being released back to the water without harm.

But long lines are illegal and could kill or injure other wildlife including swans, geese, ducks and moorhens.

One of the lines has now been passed onto the Environment Agency who are investigating.

But in the meantime, Mr McGarry, who has been part of the club for four years, says the criminals are “depriving” members of their hobby.

He added: “On behalf of the club, I can say that we are very upset at the discovery of this illegal activity on our controlled sections of the River Lee.

“We are constantly trying to make improvements along the Lee for angling and we have carried out numerous fish restockings over the last few years.

“It makes us angry that certain individuals or groups will spoil things for their own criminal gains but we will continue with our efforts and where we have sufficient evidence of wrong doing we will always push for prosecution.”