News

16 August 2010
LAUNCH OF NATIONAL WILDLIFE CRIME UNIT ANNUAL REPORT

The latest annual report from the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) has just been launched.

The NWCU was formed in October 2006, via the Partnership for Action against Wildlife crime (PAW). 

Based in Livingston, West Lothian, it is a multi agency police led unit established to prevent wildlife crime, gather intelligence on those involved in wildlife crime, and support those agencies involved in its enforcement.

Chief Constable Richard Crompton of Lincolnshire Police, the ACPO lead for wildlife crime, who directs the NWCU, stated “During the past 12 months the NWCU has gone from strength to strength.  They have continued to make a significant contribution to the effectiveness of wildlife crime enforcement in the UK, and are now increasingly influential in tackling wildlife crime on a global scale.  I am very proud to be associated with the Unit and take great pleasure in releasing this Annual Report.”

Copies of the report are available via PAW ~ visit www.PAW.Scotland.gov.uk and click on ‘Resources’.

Alternatively the NWCU can be contacted on
01506 833 722

Notes:

• The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, (PAW) is an umbrella body of about 200 organisations with an interest in combating Wildlife Crime in the UK. It is a means by which Government and Non-Governmental Organisations can liaise with the enforcement authorities.
• Since the inception of PAW, and because of its efforts, several major steps have been made toward the effective fight against wildlife crime, perhaps the most significant of which was the establishment of a National Wildlife Crime Unit. Its members, through PAW, have successfully lobbied for changes in the law and raised the profile of wildlife crime in the UK.
• The National Wildlife Crime Unit is a police led independent intelligence and investigations unit. It is the focal point for all wildlife crime intelligence and investigation in the UK and the conduit by which the enforcement bodies can communicate with their colleagues throughout the world. It is primarily there to support UK law enforcement and is not a prosecuting agency.
• It is responsible for managing the UK wildlife crime priorities, which are
• Badger Persecution
• Bat Persecution
• CITES issues (Convention for the International trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora)
• Freshwater Pearl Mussels
• Poaching (Deer and Fish Poaching and Hare Coursing)
• Raptor Persecution (including Poisoning, Egg Theft, Chick Theft and Nest Disturbance/Destruction)