Annex
WILDLIFE CRIME IN NORTH WALES 2003
In October 2000 North Wales Police appointed
their first full time wildlife officer Sergeant Pete Charleston.
In a unique arrangement the officer has been seconded to work
with the Countryside Council for Wales at their headquarters in
Bangor.
At that time nobody in North Wales had any idea
as to the extent of wildlife crime. Indeed enquiries carried out
with the Police suggested that up until October of that year there
had been no wildlife offences.
Trying to establish the extent of Wildlife Crime
has been a key element of Sergeant Charleston's work. This document
considers the extent of wildlife crime in the area since the 1st
January 2001. Comparisons are made between 2001, 2002 and 2003
but comments relate only to 2003.
Partnership working has been the key to addressing
wildlife crime. North Wales Police and the Countryside Council
for Wales see themselves as the lead partners but recognise that
little work could have been carried out without the support, guidance
and encouragement of many other bodies, both government and non-government.
Total number of wildlife offences recorded in
North Wales
Not all reports made to North Wales Police regarding
wildlife are reports of offences but roughly one in four reports
are. Contacts regarding wild goats, badgers being killed on the
road and captive birds escaping are all of value but are not discussed
within this report.
With 325 reports of incidents involving wildlife
being recorded in 2002 and 351 incidents offences involving wildlife
being recorded in 2003 there has been an increase of about 7%
in the number of incidents being bought to the attention of North
Wales Police.
Bird offences
All reports of offences in sections 1-8 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981as amended.
Offences against birds are by far the most common
type of report received. Whilst the majority of those reports
are of what might be called a minor nature often involving air
weapons the accumulative affects on wildlife should not be overlooked.
Within the reports are a number of serious issues proving that
North Wales not only attracts the collectors of eggs from throughout
the UK but is also home to a number of people who choose to poison
peregrine falcons and shoot other birds of prey. It is of great
concern that at least three separate attempts were made to poison
peregrines in the force area during 2003 reinforcing the fact
that Wales and the West Country is most severely affected by this
type of behaviour.
Badger offences
All reports of offences identified under the
Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
Offences involving badgers are of two distinct
types. On the one hand those who wish to develop land for various
reasons may do so or try and do so without regard to the presence
of badgers. Where possible North Wales Police will take early
action to prevent offences being committed rather than wait to
prosecute those who have offended. We believe that during 2003
a number of good results were achieved by this policy saving badgers
from harm or preventing destruction of setts. The problem of badger
baiting is all too common and is of great concern. It does however
have to be recognised that evidencing such offences is very difficult
and offenders are unlikely to be convicted of offences unless
caught in the act. Any move to add the power to obtain search
warrants and to provide a power of arrest within the legislation
could only be of benefit.
Habitat offences
All reports of offences identified under Section
13 and Section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981as amended.
The Countryside Council for Wales is the statutory
prosecuting agency in relation to offences connected with Sites
of Special Scientific Interest. As part of our partnership approach
such matters are investigated by the Police with the Countryside
Council for Wales taking decisions on prosecution. Due to the
small number of reports involving plants such matters are included
within this section.
Animal offences
All reports of offences identified under Section
9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended and Regulation
39 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c) Regulations
1994.
North East Wales contains a substantial and
important population of Great Crested Newts that are vulnerable
to unlicensed development. A number of reports have been considered
involving Great Crested Newts and bats without the requirement
of prosecution. It is perhaps surprising that the number of reports
relating to bats is as low as it is.
COTES
All reports of offences involving endangered
species.
The detection of offences involving the illegal
trade in endangered species their parts and their derivatives
is considered to be of priority to Police Wildlife Liaison Officers.
It is said that such illegal trade is second only in size to the
trade in controlled drugs. In North Wales there has been few reports
involving such matters and information on such matters would be
particularly welcomed.
Game
All reports of poaching offences including deer
and fish.
Whether poaching is a Wildlife Crime is a question
often put? Having been involved in a number of reports where wild
deer have been coursed with dogs and had their throats torn out
I have no doubt that it should be so classified. Links between
wildlife crime and other areas of criminal behaviour are all too
easy to demonstrate when discussing offences involving game.
Misc
All reports of offences not included elsewhere
for example illegal snares, cruelty to wild mammals and offences
involving the keeping of dangerous wild animals.
This report contains details of a number of
prosecutions resulting in convictions obtained over the past 12
months. Some of the matters described took place in 2002 but only
came to court in 2003.
National Conservation Objectives
In 2003 the Police service asked the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee to identify conservation priorities that
the Police throughout the United Kingdom could assist with. The
following priorities were identified and will be the focus of
Police attention in 2004.
Persecution of Hen Harriers
The Hen Harrier at present faces extinction
in England mainly because of criminal activity carried out because
of the perceived threat it poses to Red Grouse. The population
is also under pressure in Wales and Scotland.
In Wales the pressure on Hen Harriers is identified
as being one of habitat destruction often as a result of illegal
burning activity.
Operation Artemis is a national policing operation
being established with the aim of reducing levels of criminal
persecution directed towards the Hen Harrier.
Bat crime
Offences often concerned with development issues
involving bats has been identified as a conservation priority.
Operation bat will be implemented with a view to establishing
a standard operating procedure for the Police throughout the United
Kingdom when dealing with such offences.
Illegal trade in endangered species
The Police have previously identified this as
a priority area of work and will be addressed via a number of
initiatives including joint Police/Customs training courses and
the work of the National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit within
the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
Regional priorities
The need for regional priorities has been identified.
In Wales those priorities have been identified as:
— European protected species subject
of development proposals
— Damage to Sites of Special Scientific
Interest in particular damage arising out of illegal burning and
illegal use of motor vehicles.
Anglesey
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PC418 Pilbeam Valley
This past year has seen a 50% increase in the
number of wildlife incidents reported to North Wales Police. A
growing awareness of protected species on land has resulted in
a large increase of complaints suggesting that developers are
not complying with the law. Investigations have reveal that this
has not been the case and highlights the importance of reporting
sightings of protected species to the Countryside Council for
Wales or other interested organisations.
The intentional or reckless disturbance of cetaceans
around the coast of Anglesey is an emerging problem and efforts
will be made during 204 to raise levels of knowledge in this area.
The Countryside Council for Wales has produced a C-Wise Code of
Conduct providing advice on appropriate behaviour when in the
vicinity of cetaceans.
During 2003 a man appeared before Llangefni
Magistrates and pleaded guilty to two offences of illegally displaying
owls at his premises. Twenty four other offences were taken into
consideration. The birds are not only protected under the Wildlife
and Countryside Act but are also endangered species that required
registration with DEFRA.
One of the most disturbing reports this year
has related to the illegal intentional killing of an otter on
the island. The matter is still being investigated.
Conwy
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PS1263 Daryl Price, Colwyn Bay
PC1847 Eryl Lloyd, Crime Team
PC819 Beardmore, Llanrwst
The level of wildlife crime reporting within
Conwy has remained constant over the past 12 months but with different
emphasis.
Peregrine poisoning has now emerged as the major
wildlife crime issue in the County with one confirmed instance
of poisoned bait killing a breeding pair and an unconfirmed report
of another pair having been poisoned in similar circumstances.
When incidents from previous years are considered the Conwy valley
is identified as being one of the worst areas for poisoning in
the United Kingdom. Enforcement action has been taken with searches
of a number of premises but with no evidence of offences being
found. Intelligence relating to offenders is urgently required
and if need be confidential reports can be made via Crimestoppers.
Egg theft was a crime featured on BBC's Crimewatch
programme and a video of a man stealing the eggs of Chough within
the county was transmitted. Although the offender was not identified
useful intelligence was gained from the programme.
During this year a man appeared before Llandudno
Magistrates Court and was convicted of intentionally killing a
Sparrowhawk. He had seen the bird land having taking a pigeon
and was observed to drive at the bird killing it when he could
have easily avoided it.
A report of two poisoned badgers at the side
of a rural road was investigated. Post mortem examination concluded
that both animals had in fact died of injuries sustained in road
traffic collisions. Other reports of badger persecution in the
county failed to reveal sufficient evidence to prosecute and this
highlights the importance of obtaining good intelligence in relation
to badger persecution.
Denbighshire
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PC95 Colin Dyer, Prestatyn
PC1957 Alyn Smith Rhyl
PC101 Ian Jones Ruthin
The year 2003 has as in previous years raised
a large number of wildlife crime issues within Denbighshire with
the number of incidents being reported up by over 70%.
One particular call led to wildlife crime officers
attending a farm in the county where a number of traps were found
on poles around pheasant pens. In interview it transpired that
the traps were set with the intent of trapping owls perceived
as a threat to pheasant poults. A man later appeared before Denbigh
Magistrates Court and was convicted of three offences relating
to the illegal use of the traps.
The illegal use of motor cycles on sites of
special scientific interest continues to be a problem in the area.
Operations involving Denbighshire County Council, the Countryside
Council for Wales and North Wales Police have been undertaken
with enforcement action taken. In one particular case motor cyclists
were ordered to pay fines and costs amounting to three hundred
pounds each having been seen on the Berwyns by the North Wales
Police helicopter which landed and reported the offenders.
Deer poaching during the winter months of early
2003 was a serious problem in Denbighshire with the animals being
taken by both dogs and gun. Police officers were able to carry
out a number of stop checks of potential offenders and our presence
along with that of estate staff in the area at appropriate times
was increased. This might perhaps be an explanation as to why
the problem has not been apparent during the latter months of
the year.
Frustration is apparent at the lack of progress
in dealing with problems of badger baiting in the county. Work
continues to amend legislation allowing for proactive Police work
but until such time intelligence remains the best opportunity
for finding offenders at a sett. Any information even that that
might appear trivial is sought.
A dead Red Kite recovered within the county
has caused some difficulty. The bird recovered in a decomposed
condition was not fit for post mortem or poison analysis to establish
cause of death. It was however wearing telemetry equipment but
had neither rings on its legs or tags on the wings. The telemetry
equipment battery had discharged and as such the origins of the
bird remain unknown.
Flintshire
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PC978 Kelvin Povey, Buckley
PC436 Kevin Jones, Halkyn
PC1620 Sue Carrington, Deeside
During the past year as in previous years North
Wales Police have investigated a number of complaints relating
to offences involving European protected species primarily Great
Crested Newts. None of the incidents complained of have produced
the required evidence to institute proceedings on the advice of
the Crown Prosecution Service previously received.
It can be seen that in the past year a substantial
number of offences involving habitat have been investigates, such
offences generally relate to section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside
Act. The Countryside Council for Wales are the prosecuting authority
for such offences. A significant feature of our partnership is
that North Wales Police investigate such matters on behalf of
the Countryside Council for Wales. None of the investigations
resulted in prosecution as the best interests of nature conservation
dictated other means of disposal.
A particular investigation was carried out in
relation to Giant Hogweed found growing within the county. It
is an offence to cause certain plants including Giant Hogweed
to grow in the wild and this investigation produced useful advice
on the terms "cause" and "in the wild".
Another matter subject of investigation related
to an incident where a dead badger was seen being towed behind
a motor vehicle. When challenged the driver said he was unaware
that it was there and this could not be shown otherwise. Post
mortem examination failed to reveal a cause of death and it appears
likely that the dead animal had been attached to the vehicle without
the driver's knowledge whilst parked.
Gwynedd
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PC1188 Kelvin Jones, Penrhyndeudraeth
PC1314 Ian Ellis, Bangor
PC1498 Gareth Jones, Bala
During 2003 there were 73 incidents of wildlife
crime reported to North Wales Police a reduction of nearly 10%.
North West Wales with its important Chough population attracts
the attention of egg collectors from throughout the United Kingdom.
There are indications that provisions for custodial sentencing
introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and now
being utilised throughout the United Kingdom is persuading those
who were involved to mend their ways.
Despite this birds are still being persecuted
within the county with a Peregrine Falcon having poisoned with
a baited pigeon in circumstances that appear identical to the
incidents in the Conwy valley indicating a degree of organised
crime. In another incident for some unknown reason a large rock
was placed on a Chough nest.
The use of internet auction sites has been identified
as a problem in relation to the illegal sale of endangered species
with one instance of a stuffed bird of prey being offered for
sale and in another instance caviar being offered for sale. Both
traders were advised as to their legal liabilities in such matters
but the scale of the illegal trade is such that more high profile
enforcement activity is likely in the future.
There has been a substantial increase in the
number of offences relating to sssi's having been investigated.
None have progressed to prosecution either because of insufficient
evidence or having been dealt by alternative means.
The number of miscellaneous offences in Gwynedd
is substantially higher than in other counties. Many incidents
falling within this category relate to the reported sighting of
felines of different descriptions. The sightings on the whole
are confined to wilderness areas and are not subject of further
Police activity.
Wrexham
Divisional Wildlife Officers
PC806 Barry Prole, Gresford
The number of wildlife crime incidents reported
in 2003 was 18% less than in 2002 with increases being noted in
relation to animals and game. No specific criminal trends can
be identified within the animal category. The theft of stocks
of coarse fish from fisheries has been identified as a problem
within the game category and will be considered in partnership
with the Environment Agency (Wales).
During this past year a man appeared before
Wrexham Magistrates where he was convicted on charges relating
to the sale of birds taken from the wild. This was a second appearance
for this offender and he was fined and disqualified from keeping
birds. He had appeared before the same court in 2002 on identical
charges.
The nest box placed on top of the tower of Wrexham
Police Station was utilised by peregrine falcons with three eggs
being laid. One chick was successfully reared. It is hoped that
the birds will again utilise the location this year. Consideration
is at present being given to relaying pictures of the birds to
the public foyer of the station or onto the North Wales Police
website.
WILDLIFE CRIME
BY INSPECTOR
AREA
Eastern Division
Central Division
Western Division
Divisional comparison
| 
