WILDLIFE CRIME
BY INSPECTOR NICK PINKERTON
Wildlife crime is any activity that breaks the laws protecting the UK’s wild animals and plants. It can cause suffering to animals and may be linked to other crimes. For example, the young people who were involved in incidents of cruelty to local wildlife between Staines and Hythe were also committing theft, damage and anti-social behaviour.
In Runnymede your Safer Neighbourhood Team has been busy during lockdown dealing with a wide range of rural and wildlife crimes and we remain committed to tackling these often under-reported crimes. We have received reports of a fly-tipping which can poison wildlife, a man who chased and killed a swan, a youth stamping on a pigeon and animals having ball bearings shot at them. We are disappointed at the number for young people who are still misusing catapults to harm wildlife. With the schools now back, we will be working to ensure that children know that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated and that they are confident in challenging and reporting such crimes. We also appeal to parents and guardians to challenge their children if they are using catapults. They have very few legitimate uses and can cause serious damage and injury.
We have also been increasing our patrols of areas considered secluded. Runnymede has a wealth of canal and river tow paths as well as glorious open spaces. We have been busy meeting with the dog walking communities to educate owners around use of leads when walking in areas of other wildlife and livestock and how to spot and report suspicious activity. There is a heightened fear of theft of animals especially dogs and we have recently executed a warrant on a rural address which was suspected to have stolen dogs. We have also been pleased to carry out partnership work with the Environment Agency on the River Thames regarding theft of fish and other poaching allegations.
Our Rural, Wildlife and Heritage PCSO Rich Sutton has improved our ability to reach out to rural communities by visiting farms and stables, issuing crime prevention advice and placing improved country watch signage. He also plans to reintroduce our saddle marking scheme as we, hopefully, move back towards a busy calendar of meetings and events with the future easing of restrictions.
You can help by reporting suspected wildlife crime to the police. If you witness suspicious activity or cruelty to wildlife please contact us immediately by dialling 999. You can also pass us information via our website at
https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/