In one incident, Sgt Danny Spence chased a four-wheel drive Isuzu Trooper spotted in the Broughton Rise area of Malton on Christmas Eve.

The occupants sped off across three fields in their vehicle until it crashed through a fence and got stuck.

Ten officers, including a dog handler from York, were called in to search for the men, who were believed to have been hunting deer, rabbits and pheasants.

A man from the Barnsley area was arrested and has been bailed to attend Scarborough Police Station at the end of January. Another man is believed to have escaped.

Four men from the Cleveland area were arrested when they were seen hunting for game with lurcher dogs between Hovingham and Cawton on Sunday morning.

There have also been reports of poachers operating in a grey four-by-four vehicle between Norton and North Grimston and a further incident of badger baiting at Whitwell-on-the-Hill.

Sgt Spence said officers were continuing to step up patrols in the district.