Presenting partridge
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BASC works with PSNI and Baronscourt Estate over aggravated trespass and poaching
PSNI officers joined BASC and Baronscourt Estate to discuss concerns about deer poaching and aggravated trespass in County Tyrone.
Lord Jamie Hamilton (pictured above, second from left), BASC president and owner of Baronscourt Estate, and Tommy Mayne, BASC Northern Ireland director, recently met Emma Meredith, PSNI wildlife and animal welfare officer, and Lauren Griffiths, Strabane neighbourhood sergeant, to discuss the issue.
Aggravated trespass occurs when people enter land in a way that is intimidating, obstructive or disruptive. PSNI has investigated such cases in the past and says it will continue to act on reports.
Lord Hamilton commented: “Baronscourt Estate’s team of dedicated and highly professional deerstalkers play a vital role in meeting our objective of achieving a healthy and balanced wild deer population on the Estate. Poachers and trespassers present a serious challenge to landowners like Baronscourt who are carrying out this important land management activity. We are extremely grateful to both the PSNI and BASC for their efforts in raising awareness about the serious implications of poaching or trespassers interfering with the lawful activities of our professional deer stalkers.”
Putting themselves at risk
Tommy Mayne, BASC Northern Ireland director, said: “Deer poaching is not only a criminal offence, it also undermines the conservation work being carried out by trained and accredited deer managers across Northern Ireland. It is hard to understand why some members of the public choose to blatantly ignore signage that has been erected by the estate to help ensure their safety. The Ulster Way footpath is a designated walking route which is well signposted, yet members of the public still choose to access parts of the estate where deer management is taking place, thereby putting themselves at risk. Legitimate deer management ensures healthy deer populations, reduces the risk of road traffic collisions, and helps protect sensitive habitats.
“BASC will continue to work with the PSNI and the estate to tackle wildlife crime and to highlight the dangers of unauthorised access to land where deer management is taking place.”
Emma Meredith said: “In Northern Ireland, wild deer are legislated for under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Poaching includes but is not limited to: entering private land either during closed seasons to kill, injure, or take any deer when it is unlawful to do so without a licence or special authority or, during the hunting season without the landowner’s permission. Doing so can constitute criminal offences and individuals face the very real possibility of prosecution and upon conviction, imprisonment and/or financial penalties.”
She added: “PSNI takes all crimes seriously, including wildlife crime, and we will continue to work closely through the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland group (PAW NI) with partners including landowners and other interested bodies to ensure the law is adhered to.”
Read more news from BASC Northern Ireland here.
Image courtesy of Police Service of Northern Ireland.
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