Breaking
Natural England prosecutes developer for breaching Bat Mitigation Licence
Vale of Glamorgan man prosecuted for destroying valuable wildlife habitat
Wildlife detectives take part in new Forensics Training programme
PSNI investigate death of two white-tailed eagles
PSNI launch Operation SUBRISION to deter and detect rural and wildlife crime
Lewisham man convicted for illegally exporting ivory
Operation EASTER launched for 2023 - stopping egg thieves and egg collectors
Monmouthshire company fined for damaging an important Great Crested Newt habitat
Two Lincolnshire men sentenced under new hare coursing legislation
Hoard of suspected poached deer skulls and fox tails uncovered after drugs raid in Nottinghamshire
National first as Essex poachers banned from owning dogs
Four men sentenced following hare coursing incidents in Stirling and the Borders
Fine for angler who gave false name to NRW enforcement officer
Blaenau Gwent man prosecuted for encouraging dog to enter a live badger sett
Carlisle man bludgeoned badger with shovel then tossed it to dogs
Warwickshire Hunt hit with notice from police amid concerns about 'dangers' on roads
33rd annual Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference 2022
33rd annual Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference
The annual Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference took place between 21st and 23rd October 2022.
Feedback has now been collected from all conference delegates and thank you to all who completed the survey.
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The 2022 WWF award winners were announced on Saturday 22nd October. All the award winners were truly deserving of recognition.
WILDLIFE CRIME ENFORCER OF THE YEAR:
PC PETE BAKER, NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
PC Pete Baker receiving his award from Megan McCubbin, Paul DeOrnellas; DCC Ford & Supt Huddleston.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
WILDLIFE CRIME OPERATION OF THE YEAR:
OPERATION TANTALLON
The Operation TANTALLON team receiving their award from Megan McCubbin and Ch Insp Kelly.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
PARTNER OF THE YEAR:
NORTHERN IRELAND RAPTOR STUDY GROUP
Dr Eimear Rooney and Dr Marc Ruddock from the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group win Partner of the Year.
Megan McCubbin presents the award to Dr Rooney.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
RURAL CRIME ENFORCER OF THE YEAR:
PC CHRIS SHELLEY, NORFOLK POLICE
PC Shelley receives his award from Megan McCubbin.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
PARTNER OPERATION OF THE YEAR:
OP SEABIRD
The Op SEABIRD team with Megan McCubbin.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
TEAM OF THE YEAR:
HUMBERSIDE RURAL TASKFORCE
Megan McCubbin with the Humberside Rural Taskforce.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
ALAN ROBERTS, NWCU
Alan Roberts receiving his award from DCC Ford, Megan McCubbin & Ch Insp Kelly.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
LANCE CRUSE, UK BORDER FORCE
Lance Cruse receiving his award from Megan McCubbin.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
DR. ED BLANE, NATURAL ENGLAND
Dr Blane receives his award from Paul DeOrnellas.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
COMMENDATION:
SGT STUART GRANT, BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE
Sgt Grant receives a special commendation for his work on Operation LIGHTNING. DCC Ford & Ch Insp Kelly present the award to Sgt Grant.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
COMMENDATION:
A/SGT MARTIN BECK, DEVON & CORNWALL POLICE
Ch Insp Kelly presents the award to A/Sgt Beck.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
COMMENDATION:
PC EMERSON BUCKINGHAM, DERBYSHIRE POLICE
PC Buckingham with Megan McCubbin.
Photo credit: G. Shorrock
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The annual conference is where law enforcers, statutory agencies and NGOs all gather to hear the latest views, approaches, successes and challenges of combating wildlife crime in the UK. In 2022, the conference took place between 21st to 23rd October. There was a comprehensive programme of presentations from the key agencies who are involved in wildlife and rural crime enforcement. The weekend also featured presentations in relation to the wildlife and rural priority areas. There were interactive workshops, awards, and as always, excellent opportunities for networking.
Chief Inspector Kevin Kelly, Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit said: “Conference is a really important time for our enforcers who work locally, nationally and internationally. We aim to make conference exciting, informative and interactive. To give back as much as possible to our valued enforcers who serve on the front line. We once again hosted an awards ceremony on the Saturday night to maximise opportunities to spotlight the good work that goes on nationally and to say “Thank You” to the ones who really care about making a difference in tackling wildlife crime”.
The 2022 conference was sponsored by our wonderful partners at:
