The National Wildlife Crime Unit’s priorities are currently:
Badger persecution;
Convention on the international trade in endangered species (CITES) issues including all five of CITES’ current priorities;
Raptor (bird of prey) persecution including poisoning, egg theft, chick theft and nest disturbance or destruction;
Poaching, which includes deer, fish and hare coursing;
Bat persecution; and
Conservation of freshwater pearl mussels.
These priorities are identified on the basis of the conservation status and number of incidents.
The unit also collects data on the full range of wildlife crime incidents, from swan-related incidents to habitat destruction or illegal dog or cock fighting. If a particular problem emerged, the unit would take steps to tackle it through analytical and operational support of the local police force(s).