POISONING OF BIRDS ‘PUT PUBLIC AT RISK’
£1,000 reward offered as police launch investigation
A POLICE investigation has been launched after four birds of prey were found poisoned.
And a £1,000 reward has been offered by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for information leading to a conviction following three separate incidents over a three-week period across North Staffordshire.
On May 16, a common buzzard and a peregrine falcon were discovered dead in a wooded area of Longnor. Three days later, a second peregrine was found at Beeston Tor near Wetton and on June 4, a third peregrine falcon was found dead in a quarry near Waterhouses.
As there were no visible signs of injury, and following contact with Natural England, the birds were submitted for post mortem examinations and toxicology tests to establish the cause of death as part of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.
The results show that all four birds of prey were illegally poisoned by the same pesticide, and that at least two of the incidents involved pigeon bait laced with the pesticide.
A police investigation into the circumstances is under way as all birds are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To kill or injure one is a criminal offence and could result in an unlimited fine and/or up to six months in prison.
Officers are asking residents and visitors to report any suspicious behaviour they may have witnessed in the days leading up to the discovery of the birds and to continue to be vigilant for the signs of criminal activity such as dead or injured birds, poisoned bait and traps.
Detective inspector Tim Boulton, of the Staffordshire Police Rural and Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “To find out that these birds have been deliberately targeted and poisoned is truly dreadful. We are working to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
“It is extremely concerning that a harmful substance has been placed in the countryside, putting not only wildlife, but also people and pets at risk too.
“If a member of the public comes across a dead bird or suspicious object, please do not touch or move anything.
“Please take photographs if you can and make a note of your surroundings and landmarks to help officers to locate it. Every piece of information may be crucial in prosecuting an offender.
“Any information, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem, could help with our on-going investigation.
“Someone out there knows who poisoned these birds, so please do the right thing and get in touch with the police directly or any of our specialist partners.”
Mark Thomas, RSPB head of investigations, said: “Peregrines are the fastest birds in the world, yet all too often the lives of these magnificent creatures are cut short by illegal persecution like poisoning.
“For incidents like this to repeatedly happen in a national park is all the more alarming.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident 232 of May 16 or report online at www. staffordshire.police.uk/report.