Wildlife crime should remain police responsibility
THE police should continue to be responsible for tackling wildlife crime, an industry body has stated.
Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses across Scotland, made the recommendation in its response to a Scottish Government consultation on altering powers to search and seize evidence during wildlife crime investigations.
It says the force must keep the responsibility as opposed to handing it to privately funded charities – and that sufficient resources should be made available to ensure this happens.
The consultation could lead to an extension of the investigatory powers available to Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) Inspectors.
Concerns have been raised that police functions could be handed over to interest groups and effectively ‘privatised’ in the absence of a properly resourced police force to deal with the issue.
Douglas McAdam, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said: "The Scottish Government’s consultation is an important one as we continue to seek an end to wildlife crime in the country.
"On first glance, the proposals laid out in the consultation document may seem like a common-sense way to help the police at low cost.
"We firmly support much of the work carried out by the SSPCA and we value our partnership with them under the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland umbrella.
"There are, however, wider implications for the judicial system if their role is expanded. It is our view that this would be problematic, as the SSPCA would have to balance their function as a membership funded and driven charity – with pre-determined stances on certain wildlife issues – with a role of impartial investigator on matters where a crime may have been committed."
