Cops probe illegal gold panning in Perthshire

Fears over fish spawn impact

- CHRIS MARZELLA

Police are probing reports of illegal gold panning in rural Perthshire.

Officers there are investigating the reports of the practice - which involves a pan being used to separate gold from sediment and other materials by washing it in water.

The process then relies on the high density of gold, which causes it to settle at the bottom of the pan while lighter materials are washed away.

Police in Tayside say that the activities were carried out without the relevant licence and has the potential to interfere with fish spawns.