Gardaí are to tackle crimes such as deer hunting, the setting of illegal traps, lamping and the destruction of hedgerows in four new regional forums, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

Each forum will meet quarterly in each of the Garda regions; north/west, east, south and Dublin to tackle environmental and wildlife crimes.

The Department of Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency are among those on the forum.

Chief superintendent Walter O’Sullivan said: “The modus operandi of such crimes are ever evolving with its perpetrators always looking for opportunities and ways to avoid detection by law enforcement.”