Animal inspector leads new fight against wildlife crime

The RSPCA aims to tackle wildlife crime by bringing together a host of different organisations and experts.

They will be working together to crack down on offences in the Ryedale area of North Yorkshire.

It will reinforce the Animal Watch campaign, launched by The Northern Echo, in response to the poor record of animal cruelty in the region.

The new partnership is the brainchild of local RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmond, who has been working for months to bring the groups together.

He recognised the need for co-ordinated action against the menace of crime against wildlife.

"Up until now the organisations involved in the partnership would not have responded as a single body to reports of crimes against wildlife," he said.

"Such crimes might range from stolen birds' eggs and disturbed badger setts, to poisoning of wildlife and the illegal taking of wild birds of prey.

"Now, as a partnership, we can work together to tackle these kinds of crimes head on.

"We can work as a team to track down offenders and bring prosecutions and we can also work proactively to deter wildlife criminals from acting in the area."

Following an approach from Mr Edmond, police in the Ryedale area have given the initiative their support.

The local police commander, Inspector Neil Burnett, said: "The expertise that different members of the partnership can offer will provide our own wildlife liaison officers with invaluable support.

"We already work closely with individual members of the partnership and the new formal arrangement can only strengthen that position."

Members of the Ryedale Wildlife Crime Partnership also include the district council, the Forestry Commission, the North York Moors National Park, the North Yorkshire Forest Birds Study Group, the North Riding Badger Group, Ryedale Badger Group and Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation.

The Ministry of Defence's wildlife liaison officer at RAF Fylingdales is also involved.