The BASC Legacy Fund has donated £20,000 to support the development of specialist police training focused on crimes against birds of prey.
The funding will support the National Wildlife Crime Unit’s (NWCU) Digital Training Academy and the creation of a dedicated bird-of-prey crime course for police officers and enforcement partners.
Bird-of-prey crime remains a UK wildlife crime priority and includes offences such as the unlawful killing, taking or disturbance of protected species. Investigating these offences requires specialist knowledge of wildlife legislation and the evidence needed to support enforcement action and prosecutions.
The Digital Training Academy allows officers to access specialist wildlife crime training online and free of charge, helping overcome the staffing and financial constraints associated with traditional classroom-based delivery.
The latest contribution follows £40,000 previously provided by BASC to support the academy’s poaching training programme.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, said: “Wildlife crime has no place in the countryside and everyone with an interest in conservation has a responsibility to support efforts to tackle it.
“Providing officers with the right knowledge and resources is essential if they are to investigate offences effectively and bring offenders to justice. This funding reflects BASC’s commitment to partnership working and our determination to support practical measures that deliver real conservation outcomes.”
Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “With great thanks to BASC, we have been able to complete our Digital Training Academy and ensure that we continue to train wildlife crime officers across the UK to the highest standards.
“The use of this funding is a great example of how policing and partnerships can flourish with a common aim. BASC is a key partner to UK policing and it is delivering on its commitments to work together in raising the profile of wildlife crime and ensuring our countryside isn’t a place for criminals to hide.”
The new course is expected to become available to police officers and staff across the UK in the coming weeks.