The Cumbria Police force area covers country areas with large populations of wild animals, birds and plants, many of which are protected by law.
 

What is wildlife crime?

Wildlife crime takes many forms, from people shooting at birds with air guns in the local park to the more organised crimes of badger baiting and the trade in endangered species.

Widlife crime in Cumbria

Cumbria is a large rural county which incorporates the largest National Park in England, The Lake District.

Cumbria also has the most diverse range of environment and habitat from coastal to mountain range. We are lucky to have wildlife which live and breed successfully and which do not exist in other parts of the country including the first breeding Osprey's for 150 years in England and Hen Harriers one the most endangered birds of prey in the UK.
 
As a rural county issues reported regularly by the community are in relation to poaching of deer and other animals, offences against badgers and the hunting of animals including foxes. All wildlife crime can be difficult to prevent and investigate as it quite often takes place out of sight of the public but when intelligence and information is received there are a number of wildlife crime officers (WCO) based around the county who can investigate these incidents. Currently these officers carryout their wildlife investigations as a secondary role to their core responsibility which is policing of our neighbourhoods.

Reporting wildlife crime

Wildlife crime can be reported in the same way as any other crime but if you specifically wish to speak to a wildlife crime officer details of your nearest one can be obtained by calling the non emergency number: 0845 33 00 247