Question
Can the Chief Constable confirm (i) the current PSNI resource dedicated on a fulltime basis to wildlife protection and animal welfare, or wildlife crime and (ii); whether this resource has increased or decreased over the last five years?
Answer
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland Wildlife Crime Unit consists of three people, the Wildlife Liaison and Animal Welfare Officer, an Administrative Support Officer and a Constable (on secondment).
- Superintendent McDowell, The District Commander for Ards and North Down is the service lead for Rural and Wildlife crime and has oversight of the Unit.
- The Wildlife Unit has operated at this level for a number of years. Recently, it has been supplemented by a Communications Officer, a Legal Advisor and an Analyst, who have been assigned the wildlife portfolio alongside their normal roles.
- Police Service of Northern Ireland also calls on expertise from the National Wildlife Crime Unit as and when required.
- The role of the Wildlife Crime Unit is to:
Oversee and manage the animal welfare seizure contract for the service.
Provide advice and guidance to Police Officers and Staff in the investigation of breaches of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 as amended (Badger baiting/persecution of birds of prey and other offences).
Provide advice and guidance to Police Officers and Staff in the investigation of breaches of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 (Cruelty to animals and in particular fighting offences).
To signpost Police Officers and Staff to other statutory enforcement agencies who investigate and have their assigned responsibilities under relevant legislation and subsequent Memorandums of Understanding.
To liaise with statutory, and voluntary bodies through the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAWNI).
- All front line officers will respond to wildlife crime reports.
- Prior to the Pandemic, officers received input from the Wildlife Liaison Officer (WLO) during initial training. However, post Pandemic, the Police College have asked that training is provided through District training arrangements. As a “pilot”, training has been provided to all officers in Ards and North Down and, following feedback from these sessions, the WLO has completed a “train the trainer” session with officers in District training teams to roll this out across all Districts commending in April 2023. Animal Welfare Officers in Councils have input into this training.
- Since assuming responsibility for Rural and Wildlife Crime, Supt. McDowell has asked that all Districts designate Rural Crime Officers. These officers assist their colleagues in dealing with wildlife crime, supported by specialist advice from the Wildlife Liaison Unit and have regular meetings with Supt. McDowell, Wildlife Liaison, Legal Services and Corporate Communications.
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to tackling animal and wildlife-related crimes and continues to proactively investigate offences and bring offenders to justice in conjunction with partner enforcement agencies such as DAERA, Local Council Animal Welfare Officers, Dog Wardens and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
John Blair - Alliance