Wildlife Crime
Central Scotland Police boasts eleven officers with the specialist knowledge to co-ordinate efforts to ensure the preservation of wildlife for future generations.
This varied role incorporates
- Working in partnership with statutory and non-statutory bodies involved in the fight against wildlife crime
- The investigation of crimes against wildlife or the environment
- Preventing or reducing wildlife crime by means of education
Crimes against wildlife include
- illegal trapping, shooting, snaring or poisoning of birds or animals
- the taking of freshwater pearl mussels from rivers
- badger digging
- poaching of deer, game or fish
- the collecting of wild birds' eggs
- digging up, or in some cases picking, wild plants
- the introduction to the wild of non-indigenous species
- illegal international trade in wildlife
If you suspect a crime against wildlife has occurred
- do not disturb the scene by moving items or by walking about unnecessarily
- do not touch dead animals or birds if you suspect they may be poisoned baits or victims - most of the substances used are extremely dangerous and you may put yourself at risk
- if possible video or photograph the scene, or make a rough sketch
- do not approach or remonstrate with any suspect
- write any vehicle registration numbers down - don't trust to memory
contact the police as soon as possible and ask to speak to a wildlife crime officer Remember that some animals and birds can be legally shot or controlled. Do not interfere with legally set traps or snares or damage hides, high seats or shooting butts.
Forum
Central Scotland Police in joint partnership with key organisations recently hosted the area’s first wildlife crime forum as part of a best practise initiative.
The inaugural event was held at the Inchyra Grange Hotel in Grangemouth and welcomed delegates from agencies including the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Birds, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) – the list of partners is large and continues to grow. The event was sponsored by MacDonald Hotels.
The forum was opportunity for all partner agencies to come together and share best practise and training methods.
Wildlife Crime Strategy
Below you will find the main document that relates to the Central Scotland Police strategy to combat wildlife crime.
