Police from Downham were assisted by officers from the Environment Agency (EA), which is responsible for enforcing fishing restrictions on the country's waterways.

The alleged offences relate to a stretch of the River Wissey at Roxham Fen, between Hilgay and West Dereham.

Detective Sergeant Chris Curtis, of Downham CID, who led the arrests said: "People caught committing this type of offence face not only the prospect of arrest and prosecution, they also face the prospect of all their fishing equipment being confiscated and forfeited. The maximum punishment for these offences is three months imprisonment and/or a fine."

Richard Ingham, EA fisheries enforcement team leader, added: "We are working more closely with the police and local angling clubs. We take all angling offences extremely seriously and that this kind of co-operation pays dividends."

The four men are currently on bail awaiting an EA decision on prosecution.