Operation Randall

Wildlife Crime Update

It is fair to say policing in general is different every day. The past two months have seen a huge variety of wildlife investigations take place. The team have led on several investigations with a couple even proving to not be criminal incidents.

The first was an otter which had reportedly dumped at an entrance to a garden centre. Sadly, it transpired the otter had been hit by a vehicle and moved away from the busy junction. For a small mammal, who is considered to be water based, otters can and will travel huge distances on land. Their typical range is 15 square miles and they will travel 10+ miles a day both on land and water to find food. They are a great sign of a clean river.

We also have two incidents under investigation whereby sea gulls have been intentionally killed. Many people may see sea gulls as a pest however many are now becoming a conservation concern and they can no longer be dealt with under a general licence like some of our ‘pest’ bird species.  

Another slightly unusual one has seen the start of an ongoing piece of work with all our auction houses and antique dealers. We are reminding them of their requirements under the Ivory Act, Wildlife and Countryside Act and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to only sell legally obtained specimens (or those that can be proven antique). This has followed one or two bits of ivory appearing but also a very rare taxidermy Hawksbill Sea Turtle, where the age could not be proven to be pre-1947. The three pieces of legislation designed to protect wild species from illegal trade is incredibly complicated and we have enjoyed working with the experts and the auction houses. It is fair to say all parties have learnt a lot and it has been a really positive engagement piece which will continue moving forward.

We have sadly also picked up four dead birds over the last couple weeks including two barn owls, a buzzard and a sparrowhawk. The two barn owls have been confirmed as NOT being shot and further tests are ongoing under the WIIS scheme (https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/reducing-environmental-impact/wildlife/wildlife-incident-investigation-scheme.htm) to understand if these were from natural causes or potential first hand or second hand poisoning. We have only just collected the buzzard and sparrowhawk and these have yet to be x-rayed. We cannot release any more details of these birds until we have further test results etc. as this forms part of the investigation. Obviously, if it is found that they have died of natural causes, then we will report to the relevant agencies to help them understand bird populations. We will of course keep you updated.

Again, if you ever find any deceased wildlife which you do not think is quite right, or in an unusual place, please do report it to us. This can be completed online very quickly and anonymously if you wish to. Where possible, please record the exact location using What3Words as it really helps us to find samples.

Of course, it would be remis of me to not mention bird nests in a spring newsletter! We have had several calls already in relation to nests being disturbed or destroyed. We have reports of quadbikes in unauthorised areas disturbing ground nesting birds on the coast – this has only recently come in, so it is in the very early stages. We have also interviewed a tree surgeon for the removal of rook nests.

It is essential before carrying out any work in trees, hedges, roofs and in fact anywhere with birds, that there are no nests being built or in use. If there is, please leave the work till after the nesting season finishes. It is a criminal offence to disturb a nesting bird (some exemptions do apply but these are very strict, and you must fully understand your actions and comply with the licence).

Dogs Worrying Livestock

It is essential that dogs are kept on leads at all times when any livestock is around. It is even more essential in the coming weeks with many young lambs hopefully bouncing around the spring grass.

Your dog may be fine and have great recall, but it only takes that one incident when they lose concentration and get into the field of cattle, sheep or other livestock and you end up criminally responsible for their actions. It is also important to remember your dog doesn’t have to kill to find yourself in a lot of trouble. Simply causing shock or disturbance to the animal is an offence.  Do not take chances, do not risk suffering, do not risk becoming a criminal.

There are so many places free of vulnerable livestock and wildlife that dogs can be taken and allowed off of the lead. Please follow signs. You will see a few more pop up in the coming weeks, especially where ground nesting birds are. Your dog can cause significant harm to these nests and it is a criminal offence to disturb them.

What is happening in the countryside in April?

April brings a big change in the countryside, with the farms incredibly busy in so many ways and then everywhere just brightening up.

The arable farms will be making slow progress with the spring drilled crops. The fields are finally starting to dry and the machinery can get on the fields. This time of year sees most of the barley and wheat being drilled. Spring wheat and barley tends to be a higher quality but lower yielding, especially in Norfolk, which often attracts a premium at market. The barley will be going to brewing companies and the wheat is generally for bread. The winter barley and wheat (planted in the autumn) tend to yield higher but lower quality and is often used for animal feed, biscuits etc.

Some will be assessing the autumn drilled crops and working out what to do with them, given many have been under water all winter and some looking very thin in places. That said, in the last week or so I have seen some of the oil seed rape starting to come into bloom and we are probably a couple mild days with plenty sun away from fields full of yellow - a true sign spring has sprung!

Once the cereals crops are in, many will also be looking at getting the sugar beet in, especially in the east and west of the county. Sugar beet is a great break crop for many of our arable farms with it being a broad-leafed crop rather than a cereal crop. This means it creates a natural break in disease and pests which can building up in the field.

Livestock farms will be working around the clock, in particular our lowland sheep farms, who will be flat out with spring lambing. Whilst many lambs, especially in lowland areas like Norfolk, will be born earlier than April, the tradition is for the ram to go in on the 5th of November to have lambs on the 1st of April (although with a leap year this year could be a day earlier 😊). Many still follow this tradition plus it is a less input type of lambing with lambs often turned out quickly onto fresh spring grass, full of goodness for them and the ewe to produce high quality milk. If lambing earlier, you often have to feed a large quantity of supplementary food which can be expensive to get the same results. On the flip side of that, the lamb is finished much earlier which can often return a higher price at the Easter market.

Our wildlife really bursts into life. The blackbirds are in full chorus first thing and last thing at night - an unmistakable sound. Some of our migratory birds start to return throughout April and one sure sign towards the end of the month that summer is around the corner, is the return of the swallows. I could spend hours watching the species over a water meadow swoop up and down collecting insects.

We are now well into bird nesting season as mentioned earlier and as such, it is important to remember all nests are protected once construction starts and are in use. It is a criminal offence to destroy or damage such a nest. There are some exceptions to this but these are very strict and not often applicable in built up areas.

Six people charged following protests – Watton

Six people arrested in connection with a protest at Watton on 4 April 2024 have been charged with aggravated trespass.

Five men and a women have now been charged in connection with an incident at a food facility in Brandon Road, Watton. Officers were called at 6.07am to reports that protestors had gained entry to the premises.

Joseph Armstrong, 37, of no fixed abode, Karl Baker, 26, of Cherry Tree Road, Tunbridge Wells, Amelia Fishlock, 31, of Cherry Tree Road, Tunbridge Wells, Douglas Maw, 55, of Main Road, Yapton, Arundel, Calvin Tasker, 38, of Melen Street, Redditch, Worcestershire and Jacob Ball, 32, of Kingswinford, West Midlands, have all been charged with aggravated trespass and are due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on 10 May 2024.

A woman in her 20s has been bailed on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass to appear at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre 2 July 2024