Residents encouraged to report wildlife crime to Lincolnshire Police

During the warmer months and lighter nights, police often begin to see an increase in wildlife crime.

Wildlife crime is any activity that goes against legislation protecting the UK’s wild animals and plants.

It can cause pain and suffering to animals, push species closer to extinction and can be linked to other serious crimes like firearms offences and organised crime.

Lincolnshire Police Wildlife Crime Officers will investigate any reports and also work with partner agencies to investigate, prevent and tackle wildlife crime.

PC Llewellyn, one of the force’s wildlife crime investigators, said: “As the current Lockdown restrictions start to ease, we may begin see an increase in wildlife crime across the county.

“We are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any incidents or suspicious activity to us.

“If you see something suspicious in a field or a dead animal, please contact us. We cover a large rural county and we rely on the public’s support to ensure justice is served.”

Wildlife crime covers a large area including:

• Poaching

• Coursing

• Persecution of badgers, birds and bats

• Egg theft and collection

• Collection of or trade in protected species and animal products

• Not registering animals which require a licence

• Taking protected plants

• Use of poisons, snares or explosives to kill or injure animals

• Animal cruelty

• Hunting with dogs

• Introducing invasive species

• Killing or capturing, damaging or destroying the habitat of any protected animal

If you think a crime has happened:

• Don’t disturb the scene

• Don’t touch or remove dead animals or birds (in the case of some protected species, if you take possession of the dead animal you could be committing an offence)

• Record as many details as you can; date, time, location, details of anyone involved

• If possible, take photos or video of the scene

• Write down any registration numbers of any vehicles involved

• Don’t put yourself at risk and don’t approach anyone, contact us in one of the ways outlined below

If you think a wildlife crime is being committed then contact Lincolnshire Police by calling 101.

If a crime is happening or someone is in danger, always call 999.

You can also report wildlife crime anonymously to Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111