The Environment Agency is appealing for information after thousands of fish were killed in a serious river pollution incident in Cumbria.
Thousands of fish were killed in a 300-metre stretch of the River Kent in the Wattsfield Road area of Kendal on July 23.
Environment Agency officers responded to reports made to its pollution hotline of a serious fish kill. On arrival, attending officers identified significant pollution in the river and retrieved dead fish including minnows, stone loaches, sticklebacks, salmon par and white-clawed crayfish which have been removed for evidence.
At this stage, the incident has been considered as Category 1, the most serious type of environmental incident. Officers believe they have identified the cause of the event and the pollution has stopped.
Now that the incident has ended, attention has now turned to the investigation and the Environment Agency believe that the general public may hold vital evidence relating to the case.
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “A serious environmental offence was committed that day and we are determined to identify those parties responsible.
“The River Kent is a popular local walking and fishing area and members of the public may hold vital video footage and photographs that may be of use to the investigation.”
Anyone who has any information related to the event please contact can report by calling 0645 333 111 or by email on enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
