Humberside Police led a multi-agency raid on 10th December 2021, executing a warrant in relation to suspected raptor persecution crimes after a number of dead buzzards were found with unusually high levels of rat poison.
The police were joined by staff from Natural England, National Wildlife Crime Unit and RSPB Investigation’s team.
The investigation is ongoing.
Photos from Humberside Police Rural Crime Team:
This is one of many multi-agency searches in the UK this year, all in response to raptor persecution crimes. On 18th January 2021 there was a raid in Suffolk (here), on 15th March there was a raid in Lincolnshire (see here), on 18th March a raid in Dorset (here), on 26th March a raid in Devon (see here), on 21st April a raid in Teesdale (here), on 2nd August a raid in Shropshire (here), on 12th August a raid in Herefordshire (here), on 14th September a raid in Norfolk (here), and a raid in Wales in October (here).
That’s a lot of raids in a relatively short space of time, in comparison to recent years. It’s testament to the agencies involved that they are being so proactive and working well together in a genuine multi-agency partnership, which is brilliant to see. It’s also testament to the fact that raptor persecution continues in many locations across the UK, despite what the game-shooting organisations would have us believe.
Whether these investigations result in prosecutions is another matter entirely (although we’ve already seen two successful convictions in recent weeks – here and here), but personally I’m delighted that at least this early part of the criminal justice process appears to have been re-energised after a long period of stagnation. Well done to all those involved.
Raptor Persecution UK 
That is a big turn out by the law enforcers.
The publicity is very welcome.
Any idea of the location? Was it North Bank or South Bank of Humberside?
Thanks to Ruth. And all your supporters. You are playing no small part in this!
I like the drone/landing pad. Wouldn’t it be great if police drones were regularly deployed over grouse moors to see what the estate lackeys are up to? I think the fear of an ‘eye in the sky’ would be a powerful deterrent.
The gamekeepers would probably shoot down the drones too!
That’s true Jill. But at least police personnel should have a recording of it as that the gamekeeper could, hopefully, be recognised which sadly isn’t the case with all the raptors murdered by gunshot.
I totally agree with your statement Stephen. Drones can be used surreptitiously, so hopefully able to catch these persons in the act without their being noticed over the moors or wherever, as a patrol car or the police or other agency personnel would much more easily.
It is good to read, if well after the event, that there have been so many multi-agency raids in various parts of the UK. Our precious raptors certainly need as much protection as possible from these persons, keeping it polite, who seem to enjoy their persecution and demise.
I think the use of drones is a good form of surveillance and should be used a lot more, and surreptitiously, and not only in wildlife crimes. It surely must save those agencies a lot of money and manpower rather than have their people dashing around every where so that the offenders are made aware early and so can hide any evidence.
Congratulations to all those agencies and persons involved who help in such matters and hopefully will bring offenders to task and get them prosecuted with hefty fines and imprisonment.