Bird of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group (PDG)

The England & Wales Bird of Prey Crime PDG is made up of representatives from the below organisations and meets quarterly to progress actions against the Tactical Delivery Plan and contributing to the NPCC Wildlife Crime Policing Strategy

The purpose of a UK Priority Delivery Group is to progress the priority in relation to prevention, intelligence and enforcement, including:

• Setting of SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely)
• Awareness raising (across law enforcement agencies, partners, stakeholder communities and the public)
• Raising the profile via media exposure
• Increase of information sharing
• Coordination of enforcement activity

Operation Owl

Operation Owl has been a major success since 2018 through North Yorkshire Police, raising public awareness of Bird of Prey persecution.

The NWCU are now looking to drive this forward nationwide. In order to do this we are asking that when you engage with the public or interest groups, you continue to use the opportunity to highlight the ongoing issue of persecution; what to look out for and how to report. We have also updated a range of printable leaflets and posters to be used as you see fit:

Op Owl Leaflet 2023

Cruel and illegal – trap poster 2023

Cruel and illegal – poisoning poster 2023

These are also accessible for Police via the NWCU DISC Knowledge Hub. Contact NWCU if you are not already a member of the DISC hub.

Be our eyes and ears – together we will end Bird of Prey Crime.

General Information

Birds of Prey, also known as Raptors (derived from the Latin verb ‘rapere’, to seize or take by force), hunt and feed on other animals.  They are predators, taking live prey. Raptors comprising of Hawks, Eagles, Kites, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and Owls, these birds are distinguished by their curved beaks, powerful talons and acute vision in flight.  Peregrines can reach speeds of up to 200mph when diving for prey.

Raptor Persecution is one of the UK Wildlife Crime Priorities which includes poisoning, shooting, trapping, habitat destruction and nest destruction/disturbance. In the UK Birds of Prey are a protected species and therefore any criminal offences committed against these species are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Raptors also fall victim to the changing landscape.  Wind turbines are an increasing feature in rural areas and raptors have been struck or killed by the circling blades.

 Agricultural pesticides were having an adverse affect on certain species of raptors in Scotland , England and Wales .  Raptors became an indicator species of the health of the environment.  Pesticides and contaminants are now routinely monitored through the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) in Scotland and Food and Environmental Research Association (FERA) in England & Wales.

With the onset of spring, Raptors are at a greater risk, in line with their nesting season and the use of traps.  They are also at a greater risk from pesticides poisoning, which lessens as the weather warms up through May.  March through to July is nesting season and therefore nest destruction/egg theft is most prevalent.