BASC funds specialist police training to tackle bird of prey crime
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has donated £20,000 to fund the development of specialist police training aimed at improving the investigation of crimes against birds of prey.
The funding, provided through the BASC Legacy Fund, 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. The online training will be available free of charge to officers across the UK.
The investment builds on BASC’s previous £40,000 contribution towards the academy’s poaching training programme, with the organisation saying it is committed to supporting law enforcement in tackling wildlife crime.
Bird of prey crime remains a UK wildlife crime priority and includes offences such as the unlawful killing, taking or disturbance of protected species.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, said: “The success of the NWCU’s Digital Training Academy has demonstrated the value of making specialist wildlife crime training accessible to officers across the country.
“Providing officers with the right knowledge and resources is essential if they are to investigate offences effectively and bring offenders to justice.”
Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, said the funding would help ensure wildlife crime officers across the UK continue to receive specialist training.
“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 bird of prey crime course is expected to be rolled out through the NWCU Digital Training Academy in the coming weeks.