Undercover crackdown on wildlife crime

Brian May is attending the Isle of Wight Wildlife event with his Save Me charity

By Emma Philo Sat, 22 September 2012 7:26AM

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Undercover investigators are to be used on the Isle of Wight to track down those carrying out wildlife crime.

The League Against Cruel Sports is investing a £1m to launch a campaign which will focus on the Isle of Wight and other known hotspots across the country.

The campaign group's Chief Executive, Joe Duckworth, told Isle of Wight Radio that they have evidence of a problem on the Island: "We get our intelligance from a range of sources, but we do have a wildlife crimewatch number to ring. But we do know that on the Isle of Wight, illegal wildlife crime goes on and we are determined to catch it this season."

It comes as Queen guitarist and wildlife campaigner Brian May visits the Island as part of an Isle of Wight Wildlife Day being held from 10am-7pm on Saturday 22nd September at the Riverside Centre, Newport.

Now in its seventh year, the free event has a line up of speakers including: the legendary Queen Guitarist and founder of Save Me, Brian May; Joe Duckworth, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports to chair the event; Dave Williams, Chairman of The Badger Trust; Mark Jones, Veterinarian Executive Director, Humane Society International; IOW Bat Hospital; WSPA; RSPCA and the British Marine Divers Rescue.

The event will also host a number of stalls and demonstrations, animal face painting will be available, competitions and the chance to see bats and hedgehogs.

9 people like this.
Brendon Cassford Because thats obviously the biggest crime on the island yeah?

Saturday at 08:34 via mobile · Like
Phil Clunk Jennings So everyone who has burgled a hedgehog or been rude to a badger better watch out!

Saturday at 08:52 via mobile · Like · 1
Phil Moore Actually these laws are in place due to people being so ignorant of their surroundings. Some stupid humans even go out with the intention of hurting or killing innocent animals. There's still big (underground, forgive the pun) Badger Baiting. Under the 1992 Protection of Badgers Act" (yes there's an act for it) Its illegal to dig up a Set, and Willfully injure a Badger - Without the proper authority to do so. Hedgehogs are becoming very rare in the UK so someone has to Police this.

Saturday at 09:03 · Like · 3
Phil Swift Every sentient being that cannot defend itself deserves human law to protect it. Rude badgers is hilarious but there is an essential serious point. Making jokes is fun but all animals deserve to have a peaceful and good quality of life.

Saturday at 09:43 · Like · 2
Phil Clunk Jennings To be honest, we shouldn't need the laws at all. If humans didn't ride rough shod over everything in their path we wouldn't have half the problems we have these days. We think we are mighty, and can control nature, but we think that because we are inherently stupid. Nature will fight back. Whether its with a new species of venomous rabbit, or an ice age, Mother Nature is way more powerful than us.

Saturday at 11:09 via mobile · Like · 2
Joan Vernon who would ever want to do a thing like that , only MPs?!

Saturday at 11:16 · Like
Rich Vvw How contradictory! Not only do they want to protect badgers, but they also want them culled.

Saturday at 11:41 · Like
Fiona Wellington Fabulous move forward to protect our wonderful wildlife :-) Well said Phil Swift :)

Saturday at 15:24 · Like
Rich Vvw Just noticed - three Phils in a row

Saturday at 21:07 · Like