| This research reviewed current practice and procedure for the recording of wildlife crime. For the purposes of this study wildlife crime was defined as any offence which contravenes the legislation which currently exists to protect individual wild animals and plants. This definition excludes poaching offences and broader measures which exist to conserve areas of wildlife habitat. |
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| Key Findings |
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- Increasing awareness of wildlife crimes, and initiatives such as 'Wildlife Hotlines', means that the general public provide the Police with majority of reports of incidents of wildlife crime.
- Police Wildlife Liaison Officers (PWLOs) are a vital front line of defence against wildlife crime in Scotland today.
- A review of existing recording systems might help to create a more complete picture of wildlife crime in Scotland.
- A 'local partnership approach' to tackling wildlife crime was viewed as the way ahead for wildlife crime prevention. Proactive Police work with schools and community groups was identified as particularly important.
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| Main Findings |
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| Increasing awareness of wildlife crimes means that the general public provide the Police with majority of reports of incidents of wildlife crime. A proactive, sensitive and community-friendly approach has increased co-operation between the Police and local people when dealing with wildlife crime. |
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| In relation to the prosecution of wildlife crime offenders, the research highlighted the importance of the close liaison between PWLOs and the Procurator Fiscal Service, and some respondents suggested that custodial sentences for wildlife crime offences would also help in securing more convictions. |
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| Police Wildlife Liaison Officers are a vital front line of defence against wildlife crime in Scotland today. Informal monitoring of wildlife crime carried out by PWLOs provides invaluable intelligence information to Police forces. Individual Police forces have developed a variety of methods for recording wildlife crime and these are discussed in the report. |
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| The recording methods used by PWLO co-ordinators in Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders Police force areas provide examples of particularly good practice, and the research suggests that 'Wildlife Incident Report' pro formas used by these forces could be used more widely. |
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| The majority of respondents asserted that disaggregation of SOHD crime figures relating to wildlife crime would be of little value as these figures reflect proven crimes, rather than all incidents. Many respondents called for a review of recording systems currently in place in order to provide a more complete picture of wildlife crime in Scotland today. |
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| The research suggests that the expansion of Police officer training relating to wildlife crime, would raise the status and profile of wildlife crime at all levels in the Police forces. Respondents also emphasised the importance of proactive work with schools and community groups to work towards prevention of wildlife crime. |
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| The research also confirmed that excellent working relationships exist between PWLOs and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Scottish Natural Heritage, other Non-Governmental Organisations and local environmental and wildlife groups. The research concluded that 'local partnership approach' to tackling wildlife crime was viewed as the way ahead for wildlife crime prevention. |
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| About the Research |
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| The research was carried out during 1997 by Ed Conway of the Arkleton Centre at Aberdeen University. Representatives from Scottish Natural Heritage, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Crown Office, and Scottish Police Forces contributed to the study. |
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| "The Recording of Wildlife Crime in Scotland", the research report summarised in this Research Findings is available priced £10.00. Cheques should be made payable to The Stationery Office and addressed to: |
The Stationery Office Bookshop,
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Edinburgh EH3 9AZ
Telephone: 0131-228 4181, or Fax: 0131-622 7017 |
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| This report can be ordered online from www.thestationeryoffice.co.uk |
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| Further copies of this Research Findings may be obtained from: |
The Scottish Office Central Research Unit
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Telephone: 0131-244 7560
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| or from the publications section of The Scottish Office Website: www.scotland.gov.uk |