Nottinghamshire Police support Wildlife Crime Awareness Week

October 19-25 is National Wildlife Crime Awareness Week and the team of SC Haddon Smith, Sgt Andy Hallsworth, PC Julie Meaney, PC Rebecca Fernley and PC Rob Archer have been preparing by taking part in a training day at Derbyshire Police Headquarters in Ripley.

Sgt Hallsworth said: “We joined colleagues from Lincolnshire police and Leicestershire police, as well as partner agencies sich as Environment Agency(EA), National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and Natural England (DEFRA) for an

excellent day’s training.

“A lot of the key activity is already underway, including a fish poaching operation with the Environment Agency, investigating potential Control in Trade of Endangered Species offences (CITES) and offences contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, such as failing to register a bird of prey.”

He added: “Colleagues and members of the public can find out more of what we are doing to combat WildlifeCrime by following our Twitter account @wildlifecops. There are already pictures and information about our activity on there.”

“Should anyone be aware of a Wildlife Crime offence or suspect that such offences are being committed, please contact one of the team.”

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: “The specialist training carried out by these officers will help us to expand the monitoring and covert work we undertake, effectively increasing our capacity to fight wildlife crime.

“An important point to remember is how valuable the public can be in helping us to protect our countryside and apprehend offenders by passing on intelligence to our teams. Anybody can help us to police wildlife crime simply by remaining vigilant.”