8 thoughts on “Peregrine confirmed poisoned in North Wales”
And if they do link someone to the crime I suppose they might eventually give them a stern talking to or a light slap on the wrist. Something needs to change.
Quercuscommunity: I would hope we could be more positive about this on the group. If the case comes to court and we are not satisfied about the sentence for the crime why not write to the Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable to complain? I wrote to North Yorks police about a case where a gamekeeper was just cautioned for killing birds of prey and they apologised an agreed that a caution was not appropriate. They have reviewed their processes and now will ensure that every similar case will be reviewed by a wildlife crime officer. They did point out that the gamekeeper had his shotgun licence revoked, so at least he lost his job! The shooting fraternity are feeling the pressure, but like a wounded tiger, they will fight back, but we have morality on our side.
Pete’s right. North Wales Police Rural Crime Team are one of (if not the) most proactive in tackling wildlife crime. They’ve been doing some pretty good stuff and they certainly lead the way on keeping the public informed (check out their Twitter feed).
Also good to remember that its not the Police’s decision whether to prosecute – that’s down to the CPS. And once cases do get to court, the magistrate/judge/sheriff is bound by official sentencing guidelines.
If those guidelines are deemed inadequate (which in many cases of wildlife crime, they are) then it is up to us to lobby for change, as has happened in Scotland.
The case referred to by Pete Rowberry sounds very much like the Mossdale case. If this was the case, then the specific offence was in setting pole traps, not killing birds of prey. The problem with cases such as the poisoning of the Peregrine is the unfortunate delay in the system we are stuck with, whereby it takes around 3 months to get the results of toxicological testing.
Raptor Persecution UK 
And if they do link someone to the crime I suppose they might eventually give them a stern talking to or a light slap on the wrist. Something needs to change.
Quercuscommunity: I would hope we could be more positive about this on the group. If the case comes to court and we are not satisfied about the sentence for the crime why not write to the Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable to complain? I wrote to North Yorks police about a case where a gamekeeper was just cautioned for killing birds of prey and they apologised an agreed that a caution was not appropriate. They have reviewed their processes and now will ensure that every similar case will be reviewed by a wildlife crime officer. They did point out that the gamekeeper had his shotgun licence revoked, so at least he lost his job! The shooting fraternity are feeling the pressure, but like a wounded tiger, they will fight back, but we have morality on our side.
Pete’s right. North Wales Police Rural Crime Team are one of (if not the) most proactive in tackling wildlife crime. They’ve been doing some pretty good stuff and they certainly lead the way on keeping the public informed (check out their Twitter feed).
Also good to remember that its not the Police’s decision whether to prosecute – that’s down to the CPS. And once cases do get to court, the magistrate/judge/sheriff is bound by official sentencing guidelines.
If those guidelines are deemed inadequate (which in many cases of wildlife crime, they are) then it is up to us to lobby for change, as has happened in Scotland.
The case referred to by Pete Rowberry sounds very much like the Mossdale case. If this was the case, then the specific offence was in setting pole traps, not killing birds of prey. The problem with cases such as the poisoning of the Peregrine is the unfortunate delay in the system we are stuck with, whereby it takes around 3 months to get the results of toxicological testing.
Good Luck I hope you get a successful prosecution
Let us hope for a prosecution and a very severe sentence.
Well said Pete and RPUK. Tall oaks from little acorns grow – so let’s stay hopeful and get the prayer mats out!
As someone who helped RSPB monitor peregrine sites back in the 70s, I’m appalled that there is still so much raptor persecution. Heartbreaking!