Although all raptors have suffered significant persecution, probably the Hen Harrier stands out as the species which over the years has borne the brunt of systematic eradication and slaughter at the hands of gamekeepers protecting grouse interests. The manner in which Harriers protect their nest sites has made it an easy target. As a result of threats to the Hen Harrier population, consultation in 2003 between the Police, UK Government agencies and Conservation Bodies identified the species as a national conservation priority. Following this, Operation Artemis was launched throughout the UK, primarily an awareness raising initiative. A leaflet has now been produced for Scotland which includes the following:-
"The expectation of the police is for landowners and their employees to comply with the law as it stands, not as individuals might prefer the law to be. In circumstances where there is reasonable suspicion that the law is being broken, we will take swift and effective action; the same action with any other criminality. This is what the Scottish Executive and the public expect of the police."
Scottish Raptor Study Groups are encouraged by this commitment but concerned that not every police force is supporting it.
The Police Role
Although the statutory responsibility for the investigation of wildlife crime lies with the police, historically police officers have worked alongside other organisations such as the SSPCA for animal offences, the RSPB for bird related offences, and with SEERAD for offences relating to the abuse of pesticides. Most police forces in Scotland have appointed Wildlife Crime Officers (WCO) who have been specially trained in the diversity of wildlife crime related matters. As the majority of WCO’s have other police functions to fulfil, this is a part time role, usually undertaken because the individual officers have an interest in the field. However, it is stressed that very few have any particular knowledge of raptors and will rely on either the RSPB, or Raptor Study Workers to provide specialist support. Raptor Study Groups are encouraged to develop links with local WCO’s.
The police have offered the following advice to everyone:-
What can I do if I suspect a wildlife crime is taking place?
Wildlife crimes can take many forms. It may be that you suspect someone is trading illegally in wildlife, particularly plants or animals, collecting birds’ eggs, or is carrying out illegal activities. In this case you should contact the wildlife crime officer for the force area in which you reside, or in which the crime is believed to be taking place. The officer will then discuss the best course of action.
What if I find an illegal trap or snare, or a poisoned bait or its victim?
Contact a wildlife crime officer right away, by mobile phone from the site of the incident if this is possible. Remember that traps and snares can also be set legally, and your description should be enough to allow the officer to advise whether or not this is the case. If you don’t have a mobile phone and are sure that the trap or snare is illegal, disable it to prevent an animal or bird being caught. Do not interfere with legally set traps or snares. In the case of a suspected poisoned bait or victim, do not touch it but if possible cover it to prevent it being found or eaten. Photograph or video anything of interest if you can.
Contact details for Wildlife Crime Officers in Scotland is as follows:-
Central Scotland
Police Inspector Gerry Crawford - Tel: 01877 330222.
Dumfries & Galloway
Sergeant Scott MacLachlan - Tel: 01387 252112
Fife Constabulary
Detective Sergeant Tom Glen, Glenrothes - Tel: 01592 411907
Grampian Police
Superintendent Alan Smailes, Elgin - Tel: 0845 6005 700
Lothian & Borders Police
Constable Jim McGovern, Headquarters - Tel: 0131 311 3517
Northern Constabulary
Ch.Insp Paul Eddington, Dingwall - Tel; 01349 869501
Strathclyde Police
Mr Joe Connelly, Headquarters, Glasgow - Tel: 0141 532 6885
Tayside Police
Mr Alan Stewart, Perth - Tel: 01738 892650
Ministry of Defence Police
Sergeant John Simpson, Coulport - Tel: 01436 850361
The RSPB Role
Although the RSPB is not a law enforcement agency and has no wish to be seen as such, the Society has for several decades maintained a small Investigations unit whose personnel are divided between the UK headquarters at Sandy in Bedfordshire and RSPB Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh.
Combating the illegal persecution of birds of prey remains one of the highest priorities of the RSPB Investigations team. The Scottish-based staff maintain day-to-day contact with key SRSG workers and with police WCOs and RSPB Scotland has a formal protocol with Scottish police forces which defines the roles of and relationships between the two.
In the first instance any illegal activity suspected by RSG workers should be reported to local police, preferably to WCOs and for this reason it is important for Raptor Groups to develop routine working relations with local WCOs. RSPB Scotland Investigations staff will always be willing to help develop these relationships. Although all Scottish police forces now have WCO networks in place it is fair to say that in some forces and some areas these are not as effective as everyone would wish. Only two forces employ a full-time serving officer as a lead WCO and two others have civilian specialists in this role. These forces tend for the most part, not surprisingly, to have the most effective anti-wildlife crime policies. In instances where police are not able to respond as readily as the situation demands RSG workers should not hesitate to contact RSPB Investigations staff who should be able to help ensure a satisfactory follow-up. RSPB Investigations staff also routinely provide technical support to WCOs - e.g. as expert witnesses - when they have had no other role in an investigation. RSPB staff will always be pleased to discuss more general issues surrounding raptor related crime with concerned RSG workers.
RSPB Scotland also maintains the only Scotland-wide record of wildlife crime incidents and publishes an annual report on bird of prey persecution. To make this report as effective as possible in the campaign against this chronic threat to Scotland's biodiversity it is very important that details of any incidents that come to the notice of the Groups are passed to the RSPB to be recorded even when effective follow-up is not otherwise possible.
Conclusion
The conservation of raptors is our primary aim and members of Scottish Raptor Study Groups are committed to working in partnership with other agencies to achieve this. We recognise that some of the preventive and collaborative approaches can influence hearts and minds and reduce levels of persecution. However, we have concerns that despite new legislation and protection, there is little evidence of a decline in reported cases. Regrettably, the numbers of successful prosecutions remains extremely low, and there is a need to ensure that in terms of enforcement and investigation, the limited resources dedicated to this field of work are properly supported, so that much of the political and public relations rhetoric can be converted into tangible results.
Bob McMillan
Police leaflet on Operation Artemis
RSPB - Wild Birds and the Law
Police leaflet on Wildlife Crime Officers