If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action call 999 immediately. In all other instances call your local Police control room on the non-emergency number 101.
Wildlife crime needs to stop:
• It reduces the numbers of rare animals and plants, pushing them closer to extinction
• It causes animals pain and suffering
• It can be linked to other serious crimes, like drugs, money laundering and firearms offences
What is Wildlife Crime?
People buying, selling, harming or disturbing wild animals or plants that are
protected by law. Examples include:
• Smuggling protected species and their parts (such as tortoises, ramin, ivory
and caviar)
• Illegally trading in endangered species
• Poisoning of animals, such as birds of prey
• Disturbing or killing wild birds; or taking their eggs
• Poaching of game, venison and fish
• Disturbing, injuring or killing bats, and damaging or obstructing their roosts
• Taking protected plants from the countryside
People being cruel to animals
Examples include:
• The illegal use of poisons, snares or explosives to kill or injure animals
• Violence towards badgers, which includes being buried alive or being ripped apart by dogs.
In some special cases, killing or taking protected animals and plants is allowed, for example when someone has received a licence.
How you can help
If you witness a suspected wildlife crime in action call 999 immediately and ask for the
police. For all other enquires call your local Police control room on 101. For your own safety, do not approach suspects yourself or touch anything at the scene.
If possible give information on:
• What is happening
• The exact location (a map reference or local landmark can be useful)
• The date and time of the incident
• Who is involved (e.g. number of people, clothing worn, tools being carried or any dogs)
• The make, colour and registration number of any vehicle
• If it is safe to do so take photos which may be used as evidence and remember to ask the police for an incident reference number and for a Wildlife Crimes Officer to be made aware.
Contact numbers for reporting wildlife crime:
If a wildlife crime is being committed at the time, phone 999. If it is a protracted enquiry or something that has already happened the call 101 to report the crime and make sure you ask that a Wildlife Crimes officer is made aware or e-mail the Wildlief Crimes Group at: WildlifeCrime@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
To remain anonymous – call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
To report smuggling – call the Customs hotline on 0800 59 5000.
(Source: DEFRA/PAW Website.)
The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) brings together the Police,the UK Border Agency, representatives of Government Departments and voluntary bodies, with an interest in combating wildlife crime.
PAW Secretariat
Zone 1/11
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol BS1 6EB
T: 0117 372 8551
paw.secretariat@defra.gsi.gov.uk
For more information about
PAW and our partners go to:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw
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