Menu
30/03/2006
Partnership set up to tackle wildlife crime
Wildlife in Northern Ireland will be safer thanks to the establishment of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland group (PAW NI), who held their first meeting recently.
The Partnership brings together representatives of organisations involved in countryside issues, wildlife conservation and law enforcement in Northern Ireland, and it aims to provide opportunities for statutory and non-Government organisations to work together to combat wildlife crime.
John Milburne, the Wildlife Officer at the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), has welcomed the move: "Although historically wildlife crime has been recorded at a lower level than in other parts of the UK, we know that wildlife crimes often remain undetected or are not tackled adequately in Northern Ireland."
Examples of such crimes include poaching, badger digging and finch trapping. “We hope this new group will be able to raise awareness, discourage and prevent such activities, but ultimately prosecute criminals who break the law,” said Mr Milburne.
The PSNI representative Superintendent Alan McCrum said: "The PSNI are pleased to be partners with statutory and non-statutory bodies in the investigation of wildlife crime. We look forward to working with the members of PAW NI in raising awareness of this important issue and bringing offenders before the courts where appropriate."
Non-government organisations are also delighted with the establishment of the group, which follows a conference to assess the level of bird crime in Northern Ireland, hosted in November last year by the RSPB.
"We hope the group will be pro-active and focus on preventing crime as well as taking action once crimes have been committed," commented Claire Ferry, Conservation Officer at the RSPB. "The RSPB would like to see action to ensure that our special birds of prey, such as the hen harrier and peregrine, remain free from persecution."
The NI group is under the umbrella group of PAW UK, which works with partners from across the UK and Ireland, including the Garda and the Department of Environment, Heritage and local government bodies.
It is expected that the new group will encourage compliance with, and ensure enforcement of, wildlife law.
(SP/KMcA)
The Partnership brings together representatives of organisations involved in countryside issues, wildlife conservation and law enforcement in Northern Ireland, and it aims to provide opportunities for statutory and non-Government organisations to work together to combat wildlife crime.
John Milburne, the Wildlife Officer at the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), has welcomed the move: "Although historically wildlife crime has been recorded at a lower level than in other parts of the UK, we know that wildlife crimes often remain undetected or are not tackled adequately in Northern Ireland."
Examples of such crimes include poaching, badger digging and finch trapping. “We hope this new group will be able to raise awareness, discourage and prevent such activities, but ultimately prosecute criminals who break the law,” said Mr Milburne.
The PSNI representative Superintendent Alan McCrum said: "The PSNI are pleased to be partners with statutory and non-statutory bodies in the investigation of wildlife crime. We look forward to working with the members of PAW NI in raising awareness of this important issue and bringing offenders before the courts where appropriate."
Non-government organisations are also delighted with the establishment of the group, which follows a conference to assess the level of bird crime in Northern Ireland, hosted in November last year by the RSPB.
"We hope the group will be pro-active and focus on preventing crime as well as taking action once crimes have been committed," commented Claire Ferry, Conservation Officer at the RSPB. "The RSPB would like to see action to ensure that our special birds of prey, such as the hen harrier and peregrine, remain free from persecution."
The NI group is under the umbrella group of PAW UK, which works with partners from across the UK and Ireland, including the Garda and the Department of Environment, Heritage and local government bodies.
It is expected that the new group will encourage compliance with, and ensure enforcement of, wildlife law.
(SP/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 May 2009
Report Wildlife Crime, Urges Partnership
Wildlife need better protection, says an anti-crime partnership on combating animal abuses. More "could be done to tackle wildlife crime in Northern Ireland" if all wildlife crimes were reported to local police, according to PAW NI - the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Northern Ireland.
Report Wildlife Crime, Urges Partnership
Wildlife need better protection, says an anti-crime partnership on combating animal abuses. More "could be done to tackle wildlife crime in Northern Ireland" if all wildlife crimes were reported to local police, according to PAW NI - the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Northern Ireland.
14 March 2008
'Wildlife' Crime Targeted
Members of the public have been urged to speak up against wildlife criminals by a Northern Ireland partnership formed to reduce wildlife crime.
'Wildlife' Crime Targeted
Members of the public have been urged to speak up against wildlife criminals by a Northern Ireland partnership formed to reduce wildlife crime.
11 May 2023
PSNI Launches Rural And Wildlife Crime Prevention Campaign
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a five-week long policing operation to combat rural and wildlife crime. The operation, which began today, Wednesday 10th May and will run until Sunday 18th June, aims to raise awareness of crime prevention measures.
PSNI Launches Rural And Wildlife Crime Prevention Campaign
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a five-week long policing operation to combat rural and wildlife crime. The operation, which began today, Wednesday 10th May and will run until Sunday 18th June, aims to raise awareness of crime prevention measures.
23 April 2007
New body targets wildlife crime
A new body to combat wildlife crime was launched in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings today.
New body targets wildlife crime
A new body to combat wildlife crime was launched in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings today.
23 May 2017
PSNI Use Drones To Combat Wildlife Crime
The PSNI are using drones to help prevent and combat wildlife crime. Police used drones to monitor 'hot-spot' areas where crimes against birds of prey are occurring.
PSNI Use Drones To Combat Wildlife Crime
The PSNI are using drones to help prevent and combat wildlife crime. Police used drones to monitor 'hot-spot' areas where crimes against birds of prey are occurring.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
