A MAN ran away from officers after they spotted him with fishing gear and told him to stop on Friday.

The unknown man in the Ballard Lake area, in New Milton, took off after seeing three police officers and left his fishing gear at the scene.

It comes as the government said people must stay at home unless for essential reasons, such as buying food or for one form of daily exercise a day.

While officers said "all is well" in the New Milton area, they addressed the fisherman on their social media page.

They said: "A special shout goes out to the unknown fisherman in the Ballard Lake area who got on his toes and ran into the night upon seeing both PC Evans and PCSO Lawrence even though PCSO Phil hollered "police, stop".

"To this person I would like to say that your fishing gear is here at New Milton Police Office and that PC Evans will gladly give it back to you if you come knocking for him in person."