INCREASED powers to protect birds from egg collectors are now in force.

For the first time, the police will have the right to arrest people if it is suspected that they have committed certain offences against rare birds, including disturbing the nest and taking eggs, or young.

PC Rob King, of Cleveland police, said yesterday that under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, there had been no powers of arrest and property searches could only be carried out when rare and endangered birds were involved.

He said amendments, which came into force at the end of January, had changed that.

There are also now stiffer penalties available, giving courts the power to imprison people for up to six months and impose fines of up to £5,000.

The four wildlife officers in the Cleveland force are on standby for their busiest time of the year, and have linked up with bird watchers and industry to protect nesting sites.

A pair of little ringed plovers, at a secret site on Teesside, have already got the protection of the law to ensure they can rear their young safely.

After consultation with the police, building work that could have disturbed them has stopped, and the site is being monitored.