Today Wild Justice are reporting that the Raptor Forensics Fund they set up has contributed funds to assist in the gathering of evidence that helped to convict a gamekeeper Hilton Prest of using a trap on or before 10/2/21 contrary to Sec 5(1)(b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The directors of Wild Justice, Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery are to be congratulated and perhaps this shows why they are so unpopular in many quarters of the game shooting industry.

We do wonder however, why it is necessary for a not-for-profit company like Wild Justice to be providing funding to enable the police to carry out their work.

We wonder why the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have an investigations department. They have no legal status or powers in relation to crime investigation and surely the police should be funded to ensure that their staff have the necessary skills and training to investigate the national priority of raptor crime?

We wonder why, especially following the recent revelations concerning the Hunting Office hunt saboteurs are still out around the countryside seeking to prevent hunts from chasing foxes. Surely this is a another job for the police not for volunteers who spend considerable time and money and a frequently subjected to abuse, harassment and sometimes assault? There seem to be plenty of police officers around when hunts are out so what are they actually doing?

We wonder why the Badger Trust, a charity, provides and funds training for police forces in badger crime which is another national priority. Surely the police should pay for their own training?

We have the greatest admiration for these organisations, and many others, that provide vital support for the police in wildlife crime investigations but we do wonder whether a policing model, founded on support funded by charities is either sustainable or desirable.

Government and the police themselves regularly tell us that they regard wildlife crime as a priority and that seems to mirror the public mood. If that is the case then why is it not properly resourced and funded by government and Chief Constables?

Police officers without adequate training are worse than useless.

Proper investigation of wildlife offenses requires proper funding not charitable hand outs. If you agree with us then please let your local Chief Constable, Police and Crime Commissioner (in England & Wales) MP, MSP, MLA or MS know.