ROBERT Broadhurst learned a tough lesson when he was arrested by Banbury police while fishing on the Oxford Canal alongside the Castle Key Shopping Centre in Banbury, writes ANDY WEBBER.

Robert, who has fished this area many times, got into a heated argument with a security officer from the shopping centre, who asked him to move on.

Robert pointed out that there were no notices saying that the tow path was private, and refused to move on. As a result, the police were called.

A spokesman for Banbury Police said: "Three officers went to the canal where the angler was arguing with security staff."

Robert says he was advised to move on or face arrest for fishing on a public footpath.

He asked if he could go to the opposite bank, which is controlled by Banbury & District AC, but was told he couldn't.

The police spokesman added: "The situation worsened and Mr Broadhurst was arrested to prevent a fight from breaking out."

Robert later made a formal complaint, and after a long discussion, was told that obstructing the footpath was an arrestable offence!

So what are the implications of this police action on the rest of us? It could be pretty devastating.

With the river close season just starting, anyone who wants to go fishing have two choices, a canal or a commercial fishery.

If you choose the canal, it seems you could get arrested for obstruction.

There are several clubs around Oxford which fish the canal, North Oxford, Kidlington and the ODAA to name but three.

I've never heard of anything like this happening on their waters.

I would have thought the police went a little over the top, as this was an angler just enjoying his hobby.

And what was the outcome of this story?

Having spoken to the police again after they looked at CCTV footage, Robert was told that he had nothing to answer for.

This was confirmed by Banbury police. Their spokesman said: "Mr Broadhurst was taken home and then de-arrested.

"He was not taken to the police station and is not being charged."