68-year-old fined for gold panning on protected Welsh river

Brian Wright, 68, of Henley‑upon‑Thames, was apprehended by Welsh authorities while gold panning on a river designated as a protected watercourse in north Wales. The incident, reported by local enforcement officers on Tuesday, involved Wright using a handheld pan to extract sediment from the riverbed, an activity prohibited under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, which safeguard the ecological integrity of designated sites.

The arrest underscores the strict enforcement of environmental protections aimed at preserving native habitats and preventing habitat disturbance. Officials indicated that Wright could face fines or a custodial sentence if convicted, and the seized equipment will be retained as evidence. The case serves as a reminder that recreational prospecting is barred in protected areas, reinforcing the need for compliance with conservation legislation across the United Kingdom.