New wildlife cop on the beat
Laura is relishing new outdoor role
Dealing with issues such as raptor persecution and hare coursing are among the priorities for Callander-based PC Laura Robertson – Forth Valley police’s new wildlife officer.
Laura, who is from the Stirling area, assumed the post last month – taking over from PC Malky O’May who has moved into a new role within the police force after eight years.
She will be tasked with both preventing wildlife crime and responding to it when it happens, and she insists she’s looking forward to life in the new role after more than a decade response policing.
She said: “It’s a new challenge for me and I am really looking forward to getting stuck into the job.
“I’m an outdoors person and I keep animals, so it’s an area I’m interested in anyway.
“It’s going to be good working in partnership with the various groups in Forth Valley to help prevent wildlife crime.
“I am from the area and I have worked in response policing here for more than 10-years so I know the surroundings well, which is always a big benefit.”
Attending the opening of the new salmon fishing season in Callander last month was one of Laura’s first duties in her new role.
And among her immediate priorities is ensuring those who fish in lakes and rivers throughout the area are properly authorised to do so.
She added: “There will be a real mixture of things I’ll be dealing with – and, while it will be quite different to response policing, there will be some similarities.
“People are still committing crime – it’s just that there are animals involved.
“Each area has different priorities and issues related to it so you need to be mindful of that. Some of the things I’ll be dealing with are raptor persecution, badger persecution and bat persecution, poaching and hare coursing.
“The fishing season is just starting too so we’re busy making sure everyone has their permit.
“I would be keen to ask anyone who has any concerns, or would like to report anything to us, to do so by calling Callander police office on 101 and asking for me.”
Laura and her colleagues are currently carrying out enquiries after a report of an inappropriate shooting of red deer between Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie.
Anyone with information should contact police.