Wildlife Crime

Wildlife Crime covers offences that are committed against flora and fauna, both native and non-native species, which includes the habitats that they use and reside.

Types of crime

Wildlife crime takes many forms, from people shooting at birds with air guns in the local park and the trapping or poisoning of birds of prey, to the more organised crimes of badger baiting and the international trade in endangered species.

Bird crime

It is an offence to be in possession of a British wild bird unless it has been bred in captivity wears a special ring to indicate this.

Illegally caught wild birds are traded both in the UK and internationally. Birds of prey are particularly sought after and every year cases come to court where people are accused of taking birds from the wild, taking eggs, shooting, trapping or poisoning birds. Large sums of money can be involved in such crimes and a flourishing illegal market exists. Unlike many wild mammals, the vast majority of British wild birds are specifically protected by law.

The poisoning of birds of prey is a growing concern, not just for the protection of the birds but due to the way indiscriminate baits are left lying around; posing a danger for pets and children. Increasingly police have seen an increase in the shooting of swans and ducks with air guns and crossbows and other acts of cruelty. E.g Ducks being used as footballs.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), with one million members, is the largest conservation organisation protecting birds in Britain. The RSPB owns and manages many nature reserves throughout the country and has a number of local members groups in the Warwickshire area.

RSPB officers work closely with police wildlife officers and provide expert advice and assistance in cases of bird crime. If you want to know more about the laws protecting birds in Britain, the RSPB publishes a more detailed guide Wild Birds and the Law.

For more information you can contact:
RSPB
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL
Tel; 01767-680551

www.rspb.org.uk

Badger crime

The badger is one of Britain's best loved wild animals and is fully protected by the law. Seldom seen, badgers live in many places in the countryside.(The population within Warwickshire is estimated to be run into several thousands).

Badgers are threatened by illegal snaring, poisoning and particularly the activities of badger baiters who dig them from their setts before taking them to fight with dogs.

Badgers live in social groups in underground setts where they sleep during the day, only emerging in the evening. They are shy creatures, who avoid contact with people.

Badgers and their setts are fully protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Anyone who takes, kills or injures a badger, or who interferes with a badger sett, can be sent to prison for six months or fined up to £5000.

Badger baiting is also an offence against under the Protection of Animals Act 1911. For centuries badgers have been victims of persecution by man, and in the old days, badger baiting was a popular spectator sport. It was made illegal in 1835, but never completely died out and has become more common in the last 20 years or so. Badger diggers use dogs and digging equipment to take badgers from their setts. The captured badgers are then attacked by dogs for "sport" whilst the spectators gamble on the performance of the dogs. Large sums of money are often involved and it is usually the case that those involved in badger baiting are also involved in other serious crime, so the money used is often the proceeds of crime. Badger baiting is extremely cruel and the badgers suffer severe injuries before they are killed. The dogs are often badly injured as well. It is estimated that 10,000 badgers are killed in this way every year.

Badgers are also victims of other forms of illegal persecution. In Warwickshire, officers have dealt with cases of badgers being shot and poisoned, as well as many instances of disturbance, damage to and the destruction of setts.

Badger groups play a vital role in protecting badgers. They are made up of volunteers who work with the police and the RSPCA to enforce the laws protecting badgers. In some areas they have even built artificial setts that are "digger proof".

If you would like to join your local group, please contact:
The Badger Trust
P.O.Box 708
East Grinstead
RH19 2WN
Tel: 08458 28 78 78

www.nfbg.org.uk

If you see people with digging equipment and dogs in an area where badgers live, do not approach them but note the registration number of any vehicle nearby and telephone the local police immediately on 999.

Bats

Bats are very misunderstood, but due to their continued persecution they carry a great deal of protection and have greater protection than badgers. The legislation that protects them is mainly under the(amended)Wildlife & Countryside Act and the Conservation (Natural Habitat, & C) Regs 1994, which protects bats themselves as well as their roosts. Bats are also protected from disturbance whilst in their habitat.

The biggest threat to bats is that of development. Over a recent 2-year survey, 67% of the offences showed that development was responsible, and with tree work and DIY this figure would have exceeded 80%. As a result of this survey police forces across the country are working in partnership with BCT and the English Nature launched Operation Bat, to try and combat this problem and target persons responsible.

As with other species, there are certain acts that can be carried out under licences issued by the Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations, and they can allow development under strict guidelines and under the guidance of bat workers.

A great deal of homes have bats living in them, either using them as a summer or winter roosts. If you are planning to do any work on the roof or loft of your house, check first to see if bats are present. If they are, you must contact English Nature for advice, before you start work.

English Nature
Northminster House,
Peterborough
Tel 0845 600 3078

www.english-nature.org.uk

Plants

It is not just animals that are protected by our laws. Plants afford a great deal of protection as well. There are many plants listed under the international listings as protected species, and the Wildlife & Countryside Act also protects our native plants. It is an offence to uproot any wild plant without permission, from snowdrops to pondweed, they are all protected. It is also an offence to pick or damage other plants which are included under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act.

We see incidents of the digging up of snowdrops for the dispersal to some garden centres, as well as the ever-concerning car boot sales. Gangs in Warwickshire have not only taken snowdrops from their wild growing habitat, but also removed bin bags full of pond plants, including the common pondweed.

We also have some areas, which are protected, due to the habitat in which plants are growing, some wild flower meadows are protected due to their national importance.

Further Information;
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
UK
Tel 0208 8332 5655

www.rbgkew.org.uk

Habitat

There are several sites in Warwickshire which have been recognised as having some importance due to the flora and fauna or its historical nature. Of these, there are 61 which have been declared as a SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) which are covered under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Part 2.

SSSI represent our best sites for wildlife and geology. Well over half, by area, are internationally important and many play an important part in local culture and economies or provide wonderful opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife and the landscape. The national wildlife and geological features of SSSI’s are irreplaceable parts of our national heritage. These are protected in order to preserve their importance, and to prevent damage and development. We have many incidents were these sites are damaged through illegal off roading, dumping waste and development.

For further advice please contact;
English Nature
Northminster House,
Peterborough
Tel 01733 455000

www.english-nature.org.uk

Other protected species

There are a variety of other species that afford protection, due their threatened existence. Otters for example, also suffer from the threat of development. They are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, the same listings as bats.

The Otter is making a come back in some areas but, as they re-establish themselves, they will at times come into conflict with humans. Some fisheries may see the return of this animal as a threat to their livelihoods. The Wild Mammals Act protects all wild mammals, such as hedgehogs, to ensure that they are not caused any unnecessary suffering.

Game Laws protect our game stocks, from pheasants to fish and deer. No longer do we see the ‘loveable’ rogue of a poacher. Today’s poachers are well organised with modern radio communications, and firearms, taking large numbers of target species in a very short time. They are not concerned how many animals they cause suffering to in the process of taking their quarry.

Endangered species

The international trade in rare animals and their parts and by-products is a major threat to many species. We know that trade goes on in Britain and in Warwickshire Wildlife Officers have found ivory, skins and even a 5ft Crocodile in a garden shed.

The next time you hear of the tiger, elephant or rhinoceros being threatened with extinction, remember it is not just a problem for other countries. There are people here in UK who are directly threatening the survival of many of the world's rarest animals.

Items made from endangered species are also sold to tourists as holiday souvenirs. By buying these items you may be threatening the survival of the local wildlife. You could also run the risk having your goods seized by HM Customs and Excise when you return home.

It is sometimes difficult to tell which wildlife products are illegal to take home. However elephant ivory, spotted cat furs, tortoises and sea turtle products are among the more obvious illegal items.

To help endangered species:

Be very careful when buying items made from reptile skins or coral as the trade in many of these species is also prohibited or may require special permits. It is also best not to buy live plants, birds or animals.

Remember, DO NOT BUY! if you are in any doubt.

• If you see any of these items being offered for sale in Britain, tell the police.
• If you have any information on wildlife crime, please contact your local police.
• If you know of anybody who is committing crimes against wildlife, please phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Your call is free. You don't have to give your name, and your call could earn you a cash reward.

Warwickshire Police and Wildlife Crime

Warwickshire Police takes wildlife crime seriously and will deal with any offences in relation to our flora and fauna. The crimes referred to in this section are criminal offences.

Although there is a network of wildlife crime officers in the force, PC Craig Fellowes is the first point of contact regarding wildlife issues or to provide information regarding a crime or suspects.

PC Craig Fellowes,
Warwickshire Police,
PO Box 4,
Leek Wootton,
Warwick.
CV35 7QB
Tel: 01926 415208 Mobile: 07775 411117

Email: craig.fellows@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

In the case of an emergency or a crime in action, please dial 999.