Guernsey Police are urging islanders to lookout for people setting illegal snares or rabbit traps on the island.

They have recovered four snares from common land at Chouet after a member of the public reported seeing a man setting them.

The four snares were made of thin coiled wire attached to a short wooden stake.

A spokesperson for the police said: "It was fortunate that a member of the public was able to give the police information to enable the snares to be retrieved quickly and our investigations continue."

"It is illegal to set, or to be in possession of any snares in Guernsey and we would ask the public to contact us if they witness anyone setting snares or rabbit traps anywhere on the island."

A spokesperson for the Environment Department said: "The Department was very disturbed to learn that snares had been set on the common land at Chouet."

"The island's coastal grasslands are heavily used by people walking dogs and rabbit snares can cause significant distress and injury to both domestic animals and wildlife. Setting snares is highly irresponsible in areas used by the public and is to be deplored."