Top honour for ‘animal FBI’ guy

The head of the Stirling-based‘animal FBI’has been recognised for his work in tackling wildlife crime across the UK.

Chief Inspector Martin Sims, head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), has won the WWF-sponsored Lifetime Achievement Award.

His team based in the city currently supports 70 per cent of all wildlife crime investigations in the UK.

Recent prosecutions include the illegal exports of ivory, raptor persecution and the killing of the endangered Large Blue butterfly.

One of his biggest achievements was catching an SAS soldier who tried to smuggle 14 peregrine falcon eggs worth £70,000 through Birmingham Airport bound for Dubai.

Their work has even led to the team being nicknamed the‘animal FBI’.

Chief Inspector Sims, who spent 30 years in the Surrey and Sussex Police forces, said:“I feel very honoured to have received this award, which was totally unexpected. Since a small boy I have always loved wildlife and have a lifelong interest in nature.

“Having established a structure for tackling wildlife within Sussex Police, and on a national level with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, I feel I have put something back for all the years wildlife has meant something to me.

“I will continue that work in some capacity as retirement looms.”