Wildlife Crime Reporting and Enforcement

Effective enforcement of wildlife crime legislation requires public reporting and support for specialist police officers and prosecutors with relevant expertise.

Key Facts

RSPCA investigations conducted over 150,000 animal welfare investigations annually
Police Wildlife Crime Officers coordinate with RSPCA and other organisations
The National Wildlife Crime Unit provides intelligence and coordination
Prosecutions for wildlife crime have increased with improved reporting and evidence gathering
Social media has both enabled and exposed wildlife crime through sharing of illegal activity

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife crime including raptor persecution, badger baiting, and illegal trapping causes direct welfare harm to thousands of animals annually. Effective enforcement reduces this harm by deterring offenders and removing those who repeatedly commit welfare crimes. Public reporting of suspicious activity provides intelligence that enables targeted enforcement. Supporting specialist wildlife crime units through advocacy and public funding prioritisation sustains effective deterrence.

What You Can Do

Report suspected wildlife crime to police using 101 or 999 for ongoing incidents
Contact the RSPCA 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999
Support the RSPCA Wildlife Crime Investigation Unit
Advocate for adequate funding of Police Wildlife Crime Officers
Share wildlife crime awareness in rural communities and online