No charges are to be brought against the individual seen trampling a clutch of Peregrine eggs on the roof of St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire last year, according to Hertfordshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The incident happened on 7th April 2025 and was caught on a livestream camera that had been set up to allow the public to watch the Peregrines’ breeding attempt (see here).
The three Peregrine eggs were destroyed but fortunately the breeding pair laid a second clutch and three young Peregrines subsequently fledged (see here).
The individual in the footage was identified (although not publicly named) and was reported to be helping the police with their enquiries.
A year later, a spokesperson from the Crown Prosecution Service has said:
“Our prosecutors worked with police to establish the circumstances and, after carefully reviewing the evidence, we determined that it did not meet our legal test and no further action will be taken“.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police told the Hertfordshire Advertiser this week:
“Following a full investigation into the destruction of peregrine falcon eggs on the roof of St Albans Cathedral last year, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that no further action will be taken.
The incident in which the eggs were destroyed occurred in April 2025. The matter was immediately referred to the police and a thorough investigation was conducted by officers from the Rural Operational Support team.
We recognise the strength of feeling surrounding this incident, particularly given the protected status of peregrine falcons, and understand the disappointment this decision may cause. However, charging decisions are made independently by the CPS and are based on strict legal tests“.
A statement on the St Albans Cathedral website says, ‘Measures introduced following the incident remain in place to support the safety and wellbeing of the peregrines’.
The Peregrines are breeding again this year and have laid four eggs. You can follow the livestream here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Should have gone to Specsavers? Pretty sure I would have seen those eggs without my glasses though.
The statements by both the CPS and Hertfordshire Police leave the public clutching at straws: a highly unsatisfactory outcome:-( Why not leave it to a jury to decide, one way or the other?
I dare say the local rumour mill will be running hot…
I suspect the perpetrator was deemed to have mental health issues, and they couldn’t touch it with a bargepole.