Skip to main content

Wildlife: Crime

Volume 472: debated on Wednesday 27 February 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wildlife crimes were reported in each year since 1997, broken down by police force; and if she will make a statement. (188575)

The Home Office collects crime statistics on specific offences recorded by the police. All indictable and triable-either-way offences are included together with certain closely associated summary offences.

At present there are five wildlife offences included in the recorded crime statistics because they are triable-either-way offences. These are:

Carrying out an operation likely to damage part of an area of special scientific interest

Impersonating a wildlife inspector

Introduction of a new species

Importation of products of animal origin

Import and export of animals and animal products

However, these offences are included in the “Other” offence classification and cannot be separately identified from all the other offences that are recorded under this heading.