MONEY has been allocated for the training of 17 additional Wildlife Crime Officers in the West Mercia force area.
These will be regular police officers who have completed specialist training on guidance and support in investigating wildlife offences and will bring the number of these dedicated officers to 30.
Wildlife crime centres on offences that often involve cruelty and the unlawful killing of wild mammals and birds and the destruction of plant life.
This can include hare coursing, deer poaching, hunting with dogs, and badger baiting.
It can also include the buying or selling of endangered species from around the world – such as ivory.
However, this type of crime doesn’t always just affect wildlife as perpetrators can often be involved in other crimes such as anti-social behaviour, theft, criminal damage and, in some cases, the financial avenues for supporting criminal gangs.
The funding has also provided forensic kits so officers can gather evidence without another team needing to come out.
