Last week, Emma supported World Animal Protection in their campaign to save one of the world’s leading police departments – the National Wildlife Crime Unit – as this frontline unit could face the axe in government cuts.
The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is dedicated to supporting wildlife crime investigations and is fundamental to providing and analysing national wildlife crime intelligence across the UK. Without them, a huge number of wildlife crime cases would not be successfully investigated or prosecuted.
In the UK our native wildlife is targeted for profit and entertainment, with animals being harmed and persecuted in devastating ways. Rare bird egg theft, illegal deer poaching, hare coursing and indiscriminate cruelty to wild animals are just some of the problems faced by wildlife crime police around the UK.
But, following the Spending Review, the future of the unit is under threat. Ministers have confirmed a decision, either way, will be made by the end of January, meaning in only a matter of weeks their work could face complete collapse.
Emma said:
“UK Police forces, including Northumbria Police, rely on the specialist knowledge of the NWCU in order to tackle wildlife criminals. In Shields, we have some outstanding wildlife areas and I want to do all I can to make sure the NWCU’s work continues.
The Government have boasted about their £13 million package to combat the illegal wildlife trade internationally, whilst spending almost nothing in the UK. The National Wildlife Crime Unit only requires £272,000 per year, divided between Defra and the Home Office. This is a relatively small cost for such a vital unit, particularly in contrast to the millions being spent on global projects. It is time for the Government to step up, allocate funds to domestic wildlife protection, and save the National Wildlife Crime Unit.”
For more information visit worldanimalprotection.org.uk/NWCU