Nearly 5,000 UK wildlife crimes in just one year but convictions at all-time low

Nearly 5,000 incidents of wildlife crime were reported in the UK last year yet remain at an all-time low, a report has warned.

Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 86 groups says the true number of offences was likely to be far higher than estimates indicated.

The group said reports of wildlife crime levels have remained high since a surge during the pandemic, with 4,735 incidents reported in 2023. This was up from 4,457 the previous year, with the lockdown year of 2020 setting a grim record high of 5,648. But the number of convictions have slumped from 702 in 2020 and 900 in 2021 to just 456 over the same period.

A report said: “Even if viewed purely through a human lens, wildlife crimes are not victim-free offences. Those who harm wildlife steal something precious.”

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The report highlighted 1,290 reports of disturbance to marine wildlife. In one incident, 200 seals stampeded when people walked too close to them; in another, seal pups were panicked and fled into the sea after people raced their boats nearby.

There were also 636 offences recorded against badgers and 184 against bats. The group wants the government to make wildlife crime a notifiable offence, meaning police forces must inform the Home Office.

Matt Browne, from Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The government has the chance to turn a corner on wildlife crime. Making it a notifiable offence would help police forces identify crime hotspots and plan accordingly. Better information can underpin better enforcement, leading to improved protection for wildlife.”

Craig Fellowes MBE, a wildlife crime officer, said: “This report paints a bleak but unsurprising picture.”

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