What is Wildlife Crime?
Police Wildlife Crime Officers are officers who have an interest in the prevention & detection of wildlife crime. They work in close association with other organisations such as the RSPCA, RSPB, WWF, English Nature, Environment Agency & Local Wildlife Trusts, in the investigation and prosecution of offenders.
Together We Can Crack Crime
Wildlife crime takes many forms, from the organised crimes of badger baiting. deer poaching, dog fighting to the shooting of wild birds, illegal trapping,and collection of bird's eggs.
There are many pieces of legislation protecting our wildlife. It is the responsibility of Police Wildlife Crime Officers to prosecute people who ignore the law and to receive information from people and answer inquiries from the public.
Wildlife Crime in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Police have 6 Wildlife Crime Officers covering the county. 5 Officers perform the role on a voluntary basis in addition to their other duties, but there is also a full time Wildlife Crime Officer. The priorities relating to wildlife and environmental crime are protection of the Hen Harrier (Operation Artemis), Bat Crime (Operation Bat), Habitat Damage, the illegal trade in endangered species and education.
Particular areas of concern in Lincolnshire are Deer poaching, Badger Digging and Lamping, Habitat Damage, persecution of Birds of Prey and wild birds in general. Many of these offences occur in remote rural areas so we are very much reliant on members of the public keeping and eye out on our behalf.
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