“In an effort to tackle wildlife crime Magherafelt PSNI have carried out a number of searches.

The local Neighbourhood Policing Team, as part of their investigations into a number of poisoning incidents, searched targetted areas in south Derry on Tuesday.

Sergeant Sam Young said it was matter the police took very seriously and appealed to the general public to play their part in helping to bring it to an end.

He explained that there have been a number of incidents over the past year involving birds believed to have been poisoned and killed in the Magherafelt area.

One of the most publicised happened at Carmean Road between Magherafelt and Moneymore last July when the carass of a peregine falcon was discovered.

Tests carried out by a vet at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that the bird had been killed by ingesting the banned poison Carbofuan.

Sergeant Young said poisons, such as Carbofuan, were available for purchase online.

He pointed out that there are three primary chemicals used to target raptors – Alphachoralose (white powder); Carbofuran (dark blue granules) and Paraquat (dark green/blue liquid – tradename Gramoxone).”

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Source: Mid Ulster Mail