British wildlife is being failed by the legal system, as people who commit crimes against birds of prey face a less than 4% prosecution rate, a conservation charity has warned.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has warned birds of prey and other British wildlife face routine shooting, trapping or poisoning - putting their populations at risk.
The latest data from the RSPB has found 54 confirmed crimes involving birds of prey in 2022, but just two people were prosecuted.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
British wildlife is being failed by the legal system, as people who commit crimes against birds of prey face a less than 4% prosecution rate, a conservation charity has warned.
The organisation has said a lack of prosecutions and convictions removes a key deterrent for would-be criminals and makes it more likely for people to become repeat offenders.
Read more:How conservationists are racing to save UK’s fastest declining bird speciesEndangered hen harriers illegally killed on grouse moors
The warnings come after an RSPB Birdcrime report released in November 2023 found that bird species protected by law, such as buzzards, red kites and peregrine falcons, were being “relentlessly targeted” and illegally killed.
A National Police Chief’s Council spokesperson said: "Wildlife crime blights our countryside and open spaces which should be havens for the many species which make it their home.
"Policing is committed to tackling all aspects of wildlife crime with specially trained officers who have the skills and expertise to ensure all reported incidents are investigated thoroughly.
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