POLICE are investigating reports that a gang of badger baiters is targeting setts in part of the North-East.

Durham County Badger Group called in the police after discovering evidence of two attacks in Wear Valley, County Durham.

Group members fear the animals are being snatched for use in illegal badger baiting, in which the creatures are pitted against dogs and spectators lay bets on the outcome.

One recent attack was at a sett near Toronto, near Bishop Auckland, which has been targeted a second time.

A spokesman for the badger group said: "We think that the badgers from that sett are now gone, either dug out for baiting or moved on."

Another attack reported this month was at a sett on the edge of Bishop Auckland, between the town and nearby Escomb village.

There was evidence that attempts had been made to dig the badgers out, and the spokesman said: "The police have been informed about both incidents and are being particularly vigilant in that area.

"We are fairly sure that the culprits of both offences live locally and that it is the same people on both occasions.

"We would ask the public to be extra vigilant and to report any unusual activity to the police immediately."

Inspector George Ledger, the wildlife liaison officer for Wear and Tees, based at Crook, said: "We are investigating these incidents and we and the badger group members remain vigilant.

"These setts are monitored by badger group members on a daily basis and we hear about these kind of indicents very quickly indeed."

Anyone with information can contact Crook police on (01388) 762011 or Durham County Badger Group, via Durham Wildlife Trust, on 0191 584-3112.

* Several weeks ago, a sett was disturbed in a field near Castleside, in north Durham. It was reported by wildlife campaigner John Gill, who lives in the area and had visited the site.