A BIRD watching North-East police officer is heading a national squad targeting animal smugglers.

PC Chris Kerr, serving with Cleveland Police, has been appointed to spearhead the UK's first National Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit, announced by Environment Minister Michael Meacher yesterday.

It will be the job of the 36-year-old and his colleagues to take on organised crime gangs trafficking in endangered species and animal parts, a multi-billion pound global racket.

Mr Meacher said: "In financial terms, some estimates have put the illegal wildlife trade as second only to the illegal drugs trade.

Backed with a Government subsidy of £440,000 plus £100,000 from the Association of Chief Police Officers, the unit will identify the big crime bosses involved, collect and gather intelligence, and plan operations using high-tech systems and analysis techniques.

"The full level of this crime is not known and it is going to be interesting to look at the links to other crimes,'' said PC Kerr, Cleveland Police's wildlife liaison officer.

"The illicit dealing in endangered species, their body parts or derivatives, parallels international drugs smuggling and can net a lot more money.''

Based mainly at Hartlepool, he has gained past experience in wildlife crimes, developing strong links with Customs and Excise, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

His secondment to the new unit means that he will be based in London.

PC Kerr said his lifelong interest in wildlife and the environment was actively encouraged by his family.

"When I joined the force, I started writing letters about wildlife work and in the early 1990s got more involved as a wildlife liaison officer,'' he said.

The new squad will be part of the Specialist Intelligence Branch of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.