Birds of Prey Crimes

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003474/J

 Version Date: 18/08/2025

Please would you kindly let me know about allegations of crimes conducted against birds of prey in each of the last three years:
 
1) the total number of allegations made to your force
2) how many you opened an investigation into
3) how many you referred to the CPS and
4) how many resulted in a criminal conviction. If known, please would you for each category record the total number of incidents where the accused were gamekeepers across all three years
 
It would be most helpful if your answer could please include filling in the table below.
 

The Performance Analysis Department has provided the following information.

Please note that crimes against birds of prey are non-notifiable offences, therefore, there are no Home Office codes or stats classification descriptions to search on.

Searches were completed on Niche from 01/01/2022 to 30/06/2025 for occurrences with a Std. Occ. Type Description of ‘PS - Animals/Wildlife’ and that contain the keywords ‘bird of prey’ or ‘birds of prey’ within the occurrence enquiry log entry text.

Please note:

• It is a nil return for charges, therefore, a nil a return for cases referred to the CPS.
• The Force does not hold data regarding convictions, this information is held by HM Courts & Tribunal Service: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-courts-and-tribunals-service
• All crimes are investigated to some extent.
• The occurrences were reviewed to determine if any suspects were gamekeepers.