Information centre

Wildlife crimes

Everyone is affected by wildlife crime.  Illegal activities damage our environment as well as endangering many of the species that inhabit our earth.

The concept of protecting our wildlife has been part of our legal system for hundreds of years.  Bird of Prey nest sites were included in the Doomsday Book, fisheries have been protected since the early 1600's and the current game laws were introduced in the mid 1800's

In Britain the responsibilty for enforcement of the laws protecting our wildlife rests with the police service.

To combat wildlife crime, Greater Manchester Police has a team of dedicated officers who, as part of their normal policing duties specialise in investigating wildlife related crime.

Divisional Wildlife Officers are supported by the Force Wildlife Crime Officer who provides assistance and specialist  advice and works in partnership with with other organisations and agencies both government and non government.

In the UK, the police have a responsibility for dealing with wildlife crime.  It comes in many forms please look at the associated pages below.