Wildlife Crime Prevention

In Gloucestershire, the Rural and Environmental Crime Liaison Officers also perform the role of wildlife crime Officers.

Wildlife is the native fauna and flora of a region. It includes all non-domesticated animals, wild plants and other organisms. The domestication of wild animals and plant species for human benefit has occurred over many hundreds of years, and can have a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative.

Wildlife crime is committed when an offence under certain Acts of Parliament has been breached. Offences often involve cruelty and the unlawful killing of wild mammals and birds, some of which are protected species.

There are numerous Acts of Parliament that provide protection for wildlife in England and Wales.

Gloucestershire Constabulary will investigate when offences under legislation are suspected of being committed, in particular those offences in relation to:

• Unlawful trapping/snaring of wild animals
• Unlawful hunting of wild mammals
• Killing, injuring, taking, disturbing etc. wild birds
• Taking/possessing/destroying wild birds eggs/nest disturbance
• Badger persecution
• Killing, injuring, taking, disturbing etc. wild bats
• Damaging protected sites
• Unlawful poisoning of wildlife
• Stealing wild plants
• Unlawful hunting and poaching
• Unlawful trade in endangered species

Any comments regarding Rural Watch and wildlife and environmental issues are welcomed.
If you have any questions or queries please contact PC Jon Palfrey on 101 or e-mail jon.palfrey@gloucestershire.police.uk.