Otter drowns in illegally placed crayfish trap

An otter became trapped in the net and drowned, police say

An otter has died after it was trapped inside an illegally placed crayfish trap.

The Cambridgeshire Police rural crime action team found the trap in the River Nene in Peterborough at the weekend.

It is illegal to trap or remove native crayfish in England without proper permissions and licences.

A police spokesperson said: "This highlights the devastating consequences of using unlicensed or improperly set traps in our waterways."

Inquiries into the matter were ongoing, the force said.