POLICE were called to reports of poachers in the Yorkshire Dales only to find a group of Scouts on a hike.
Officers were called to fields near Leyburn on Tuesday night after residents thought people in fields with torches were poachers.
However, they arrived at the scene to find a Scout group taking part in an expedition.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We were called to reports of suspected poachers using torches in fields off the A6108 between Richmond and Leyburn at about 8.45pm yesterday.
"Officers attended and found the group were in fact Scouts on an expedition.
"Residents play an important role as the police’s eyes and ears in rural communities. Local people know their area better than anyone and they know if something is unusual or out of place. We're very grateful for all reports of suspicious activity, and residents can be reassured that such reports will be taken extremely seriously."
A local resident said: "There was lots of lights in the fields so we knew something was going on - I'm glad it was Scouts and not people up to no good."
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