BASC funds national police training to tackle bird of prey crime

Bird of prey crime remains a UK wildlife crime priority and can involve offences such as the unlawful killing, taking or disturbance of protected species. Effective investigation of such offences requires specialist knowledge and an understanding of wildlife legislation.

By funding the development of this new training package, we are helping to ensure officers have access to consistent, high-quality learning resources that can improve prevention, enforcement and prosecution outcomes.

Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, said: “Wildlife crime has no place in the countryside and everyone with an interest in conservation has a responsibility to support efforts to tackle it. 

“The success of the NWCU’s Digital Training Academy has demonstrated the value of making specialist wildlife crime training accessible to officers across the country. We are pleased to build on our previous investment in the poaching syllabus by supporting the development of this bird of prey crime course. 

“Providing officers with the right knowledge and resources is essential if they are to investigate offences effectively and bring offenders to justice. This funding reflects BASC’s commitment to partnership working and our determination to support practical measures that deliver real conservation outcomes.”

Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, said:  “With great thanks to BASC, we have been able to complete our Digital Training Academy and ensure that we continue to train wildlife crime officers across the UK to the highest standards. 

“The use of this funding is a great example of how policing and partnerships can flourish with a common aim. BASC is a key partner to UK policing and it is delivering on its commitments to work together in raising the profile of wildlife crime and ensuring our countryside isn’t a place for criminals to hide.”