A new study led by an Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) expert has revealed alarming shortcomings in the UK’s efforts to prosecute wildlife criminals.
The report ‘System set to fail – prosecuting wildlife crime’, reveals despite widespread public demand for strict penalties, many perpetrators escape justice due to systemic failures. The study was conducted by Angus Nurse, Professor of Law and Environmental Justice at ARU and Nadine Harding from the University of Gloucestershire.
Commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the report offers a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles faced by those on the front line of wildlife law enforcement. Professor Nurse, an expert in environmental justice, led a team of criminologists in compiling first-hand accounts from police officers, legal professionals, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Their findings describe a legal system struggling to handle the growing threat of wildlife crime.
The report highlighted the significant challenges facing enforcement agencies, including a lack of resources, inadequate training, and inconsistent evidence-gathering procedures.
The report's release coincides with a YouGov poll that shows overwhelming public support for harsher penalties against wildlife criminals, with 97% of respondents saying that those who torture wild animals should face punishment, and 92% supporting the establishment of a formal reporting system for wildlife crimes.
Despite this, the System set to fail report reveals that many cases go unpunished, with criminals finding ways to exploit weaknesses in the system.
One of the most pressing issues identified by Professor Nurse and his team is the lack of capacity which leads to problems in collecting evidence and consistency in preparing cases for prosecution.
The team also identified the ‘non-notifiable’ status of wildlife crimes. This classification means that such incidents do not have to be reported to the Home Office, thereby excluding them from national crime statistics. As a result, these crimes are often obscured within broader categories like violence and anti-social behaviour, making it difficult to assess the true scale of the problem.
Professor Nurse said: “Research consistently shows wildlife crime doesn’t get the priority or the resources it deserves. Instead, we have a system reliant on the diligence and dedication of individual enforcement staff. We need better systems in place to provide the necessary support to investigate and prosecute these crimes.
“The current system fails to provide the necessary support to protect wildlife and bring wildlife criminals to justice. The need for reform has never been more urgent.”
IFAW’s recommendations include making wildlife crime a ‘notifiable’ offense, implementing mandatory legal training on wildlife crime, and establishing clear sentencing and prosecution guidelines. Additionally, the report calls for enhanced multi-agency collaboration and a renewed commitment to funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).
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