Useful Contacts for Wildlife Crime Advice
The responsibility for the enforcement of the laws protecting our wildlife rests with
the police service. Wildlife crime takes many forms, some of which involve extreme
cruelty.
 The main wildlife issues we are actively involved in combating include:
 Destruction of wildlife habitats
 Illegal trapping, shooting, snaring or poisoning of birds or animals
 Badger digging/baiting
 Poaching of deer, game or fish
 Collecting/disturbing/destroying wild birds' eggs or bat roosts
 Theft of wild plants
 Illegal international trade in wildlife
 Disturbing cetaceans
 Illegal hunting
 Damaging protected sites
Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime UK (PAW UK) was set up by Defra
who co-chair with non-government organisations to combat wildlife crime together.
Their objectives are to reduce wildlife crime through effective and targeted
enforcement, better regulation and improved awareness. The 6 PAW UK priorities
are:
 Raptor persecution
 Badger persecution
 Bat persecution
 CITES issues
 Freshwater pearl mussels
 Poaching
http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw/
UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) can assist in the prevention and detection
of wildlife crime across the UK.
http://www.nwcu.police.uk/
How to contact your Local County Council
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
How to contact your Local Authority
http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/Start.do?mode=1
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - the UK
government department responsible for safeguarding the natural environment,
supporting the food and farming industry, and sustaining the rural economy.
08459 33 55 77 (Defra Helpline Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm)
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-foodrural-affairs
Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) can provide advice on veterinary and
laboratory services.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency
The Badger Trust is a charitable organisation dedicated to the conservation and
welfare of badgers and the protection of their setts and habitats for the public
benefit.
http://www.badger.org.uk/home.aspx
Bat Conservation Trust – can provide advice and support around case involving
bat disturbance or destruction, and can offer support with live bat management
Bat Helpline 0345 1300 228 (9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday)
http://www.bats.org.uk/
Border Force - a law enforcement command within the Home Office. They have a
CITE team dedicated to seizing animals and their products as part of the illegal
wildlife trade, headed up by Grant Miller.
Call 0203 014 5756 or Contact CITES Team: CITESTeam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/border-force
British Association for Shooting and Conservation – supports professional
wildfowlers and can provide advice on land management of fowl
www.basc.org.uk
British Wildlife Rescue Centre - cares for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife which
is often brought in to us by members of the public and the RSPCA.
Call 01889 271 308 or Email admin@thebwrc.com
http://thebwrc.com/
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES), an international agreement between governments that came into
force in 1975. The import, export and use for commercial gain of certain species
requires a CITES permit.
https://www.gov.uk/cites-imports-and-exports
For a list of CITES protect species:
https://www.gov.uk/cites-imports-and-exports#cites-species
Countryside Alliance – advise on wildlife and management, as well as traditional
rural practices
http://www.countryside-alliance.org/
Crimestoppers – for giving information regarding any crime anonymously
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Environment Agency – work to improve and protect the environment. They can
provide advice on laws and legislation around environment and wildlife offences –
particularly around land use, fisheries, conservation, ecology and waste
management.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Northern Ireland - http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/
Forestry Commission – covers England, Scotland and Wales. Support all forests
through guidance, grants and regulations, and by shaping and implementing forestry
policy under Government responsibility.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/
Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat – for tools and advice on non-native
invasive species and a list of local groups you can contact directly
http://www.nonnativespecies.org
Hawk and Owl Trust – advise on birds of prey, their care and management
http://hawkandowl.org/
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) – the public body that advises the
UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature
conservation (part of Defra).
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/
League Against Cruel Sports – a charitable organisation with advice on Hunting
with dogs
http://www.league.org.uk/
Local Trading Standards – for advice on trade laws and standards
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office
Natural Resources Wales – can provide advice on issues relating to the
environment and its natural resources. They also regulate marine, forest and waste
industries, and prosecute those who breach these regulations.
https://naturalresources.wales/splash?orig=/
Natural England – for advice on licencing, land management and protected sites.
Tel: 0845 601 4523 (Local rate)
or email: wildlife@naturalengland.org.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england
National Gamekeepers Organisation – advise on game keeping
http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/
Plantlife – for advice on plant species and laws protected wild native plant species
www.plantlife.org.uk
Raptor Rescue – can provide advice and raptor rehabilitation
http://www.raptorrescue.org.uk/
Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew – for advice on plant species and laws protected
wild native plant species
www.kew.org
Royal Horticultural Society - for advice on plant species and laws protected wild
native plant species
www.rhs.org.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) – can provide advice on raptor
persecution and bird related wildlife crime
crime@rspb.org.uk
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) – can
investigate and prosecute animal abusers. They also rescue and home animals that
are suffering or need urgent treatment.
24-hour local cruelty line on 0300 1234 999
www.rspca.org.uk
Scottish Natural Heritage – can advise on habitat and wildlife ecology
http://www.snh.gov.uk/
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) – can
investigate and prosecute animal abusers. They also rescue and home animals that
are suffering or need urgent treatment.
Animal Helpline 03000 999 999
http://www.scottishspca.org/
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) - Scotland’s principal
environmental regulator, protecting and improving Scotland’s environment.
http://www.sepa.org.uk/about-us/
TRAFFIC - the wildlife trade monitoring network. Aims to ensure that trade in wild
animals and plants is not a threat the conservation of nature.
http://www.traffic.org/
Ulster Society Prevention Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) – can investigate and
prosecute animal abusers. They also rescue and home animals that are suffering or
need urgent treatment.
http://uspca.co.uk/
Wildlife Forensics PAW working group - for advice on Forensic techniques and
their possible application in wildlife crime enforcement
Contact Kate.Ramsey@gmp.pnn.police.uk orStephanie.Pendry@traffic.org
http://www.tracenetwork.org/pawforensics/
Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme – can make enquiries into the death or
illness of wildlife, pets and beneficial invertebrates that may have resulted from
pesticide poisoning. Aim to provide information on regulator and hazards, and
enforce correct use of pesticides.
http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/reducingenvironmental-impact/wildlife
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS) - can provide advice on
licences that could be required when disturbing or removing wildlife in England, or
damage to habitats.
https://www.gov.uk/wildlife-licences
The Wildlife Trusts – wildlife charities with expertise in habitats and ecology
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/
Local Wildlife Trusts in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/your-local-trust
World Animal Protection – a global animal welfare charity campaigning on wildlife
crime in the UK
http://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/