‘Treat wildlife crime with seriousness it deserves’, ministers told as offences rise sharply

Experts are calling for the government to treat wildlife crime “with the seriousness it deserves”, as a report revealed persecution of species rose steeply during the pandemic – but convictions fell.

Crimes including badger-baiting and the poisoning, trapping and shooting of raptors all increased last year while restrictions were in place.
And there was a “shocking” 220 per cent increase in claims of developers interfering with badger setts, according to the study by the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL).