Essex Police are reporting the discovery of a sparrowhawk that was found shot in the Elder Street area of Uttlesford on Wednesday 13th March 2024.
The injured Sparrowhawk was taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for treatment but it didn’t survive its injuries.
If anyone has any information about this crime please contact Essex Police on Tel 101, quoting incident ref 42/41024/24.
The county of Essex is becoming a real hotspot for bird of prey persecution.
Other raptor persecution crimes in recent years include the poisoning of two red kites reported in February 2024 (here), the suspected shooting of a peregrine in January 2024 (here), the shooting of a buzzard in December 2023 (here), the shooting of another buzzard in January 2023 (here), the shooting of a red kite in September 2022 (here), the shooting of another red kite in November 2021 (here), another red kite found dead in suspicious circumstances in November 2021 (here), the shooting of another three buzzards in 2020, one in Dec (here), one in September (here) and one in June (here), and the suspected shooting of a Hobby in August 2020 (here).
Raptor Persecution UK 
That’s getting close to my area – why is it about some people whose first reaction on seeing wildlife is to kill it? I actually witnessed a car on a 20 mph residential road speed up when a fox started crossing the road! Fortunately the fox got out of the way in time. It was late at night and I was more concerned with the fox so didn’t get the car reg, but even if I had, I would bet the police wouldn’t be interested.
But, seriously, why?? What’s the pleasure in killing?
For some it’s simply an expression of power for a frustrated man — opportunist in nature.
For others it goes much deeper — put simplt they see it as a part of their job. Their employers could put an end to that very quickly if so minded.
Sadly a raptor hater of some description has struck again in Essex, dreadful pointless and criminal. The police will probably fail in finding them without any further information. The only thing I can add other than anger is that the culprit is almost certainly male.
i agree with you all some people view everything as vermin and I can’t get my head or my heart around this mentality, my partner had upset at his work a work man was bragging about killing cats because he didn’t like them we have 2 pet cats never touch a thing stay in a lot of the time. It’s obviously how they are brought up or brainwashed.
I just despair and keep hoping these menaces get caught but it seems these cruel heartless hooligans are above the law and there is no real deterrent.
I note Essex Police on their website are reporting a rural crime trend which is seeing wildlife being targeted for fun, by being shot by BB guns, air weapons, catapults and crossbows.
Many of the creatures die slow and painful deaths.
All the above items, which are mentioned in the police report as being used to target wildlife are offensive weapons.
Sect 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act makes it an offence to posses an offensive weapon in a public place. So I hope Essex Police are looking at this matter, not just as a wildlife crime issue, but as one of persons unlawfully carrying offensive weapons in a public place?
Hopefully the police have introduced a robust strategy to identify, target and prosecute those who are responsible?
If (and it is a big if!) the culprits end up in court, and the courts impose a meaningful punishment then hopefully this trend can be reversed?
It is encouraging that Essex Police have gone to the media with this, and it is featured on the BBC website.
Wildlife in this country is so depleted and has enough problems to face without additional pressures from morons committing criminal offences.