37th Wildlife Crime Conference

The annual Wildlife Crime Conference will take place this year between 14^th and 16^th December 2026.

Venue
Crown Plaza Hotel, Stratford upon Avon

Bridge Foot, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6YR

W3W: ///reds.transit.exists

Focus
The 2026 focus will be: Strength in Knowledge; Power in Action.

Our annual conference is where law enforcers, statutory agencies and NGOs gather to hear the latest approaches, successes and challenges of combating wildlife crime in the UK. There will be a comprehensive programme of presentations from key agencies, evening award ceremony and as always, excellent opportunities for networking.

Conference timings (NB: these are subject to change):

Monday 14^th December
Bedrooms available from: 15:00
Bar opens: 17:00
Dinner: 18:30
Bar closing: 00:00

Tuesday 15^th December
Coffee & networking opportunities: 09:00
Conference starts: 10:00
Lunch: 13:00
Sessions end: 17:00
Bar opens: 18:00
Dinner: 18:00
WWF Awards Ceremony: 19:30
Bar closing: 00:00

Wednesday 16^th December
Conference starts: 09:25
Lunch: 12:00
Close: 15:30

Access to bedrooms
Monday arrivals: access to bedrooms will not be before 3pm.
Tuesday arrivals: conference will start at 10am. Access to bedrooms will not be before 3pm. Delegates who drive are advised to leave their luggage in their car as there is only a small luggage store that can be utilised within the hotel.

Draft Agenda: 

Please note this is subject to change:

Operational

• Paul Arundale West Mercia & Rory Covill Met Police – Zoosadism and Worldwide Monkey Torture Investigation
• North Yorkshire Hen Harrier conviction
• Operation Calluna – large scale hare coursing, Cambridgeshire Police
• Case roundup, NWCU
• Animal Welfare Establishment Investigations
• Hunting with Hounds

 IWT/International

• Interpol – tackling IWT across the world
• WildID
• Bushmeat investigations
• The crypto economy & IWT

 Strategic

• DCC Harrison, NPCC lead for Wildlife Crime
• NWCU update, DI Mark Harrison
• Nick Bagshaw, Defra, Government position on wildlife crime
• Natural England
• Planning & Infrastructure Act, Mark G
• Mowbray – digital wildlife crime academy

 Tactical

• Tactical Delivery Groups
  • Badger Crime
  • Bat Crime
  • BoP
  • CITES – plus Op Thunder
  • Poaching
  • HwH

Breakout sessions

1. Operation Lakeshot, LACS
2. Academic development of practical guidance for CPS and investigators
3. Humane World for Animals

Conference Programme
Any updates to the above agenda will be published here. Programmes will be available as hard copies at registration.

FAQs

Q: How do I get to the Crown Plaza hotel by car?

A: The hotel is ideally located close to the M40.

Leave the M40 at Junction 15, then take the A46 toward Stratford. At the second roundabout, take the A439 and bear left onto Bridgeway.

Q: Is there parking?
A: There is plenty of parking. The hotel offers 350 on-site self-parking spaces monitored by Parking Eye, costing £13 per 24 hours.

Q: How do I get there by train?
A: The nearest rail station is Stratford-upon-Avon Station – exactly 1 mile (a 20-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride) from the hotel.

Q: Can I fly there?
A: Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the most convenient, located about 27 miles (a 30-minute drive or direct taxi) from the hotel.

Once at BHX, you can take a taxi directly to the hotel, or take the free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International Station, catch a train to Birmingham New Street, and transfer to the local train to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Q: Can I pay with cash/is there an ATM on site?
A: The site is card only. No cash will be accepted.

Q: What is the dress code?
A: Smart casual throughout conference.
Dress code for the awards evening (Tuesday) is ‘dressy casual’ (jacket, shirt and tie, suit, dress or dressy separates).
Formal dress (ballgowns/black tie) is not required but feel free to dress up as much as you wish.

Q: Where will my bedroom be located?
A: Everyone who books overnight accommodation will have their room within the Crowne Plaza hotel.

Q: What time will I need to check out?
A: You must check out of your room by 11am.

Q: Will a delegate list be supplied?
A: No

Q: Will there be workshops?
A: There will be a selection of breakout sessions.

Q: Will the conference be recorded?
A: No

Q: Can I share images of the presentation slides on my socials?
A: Whilst we encourage use of social media to publicise the conference, please be mindful that this is an enforcement event and some slides will not be suitable to be shared. If in doubt, check with NWCU.

Q: Will there be an after-dinner speaker?
A: There will be a speaker at the award ceremony on the Tuesday evening.

Q: Will there be a set menu plan?
A: Monday night will be a casual buffet dinner. Tuesday night award dinner will be a set menu.

Q: I have dietary requirements; how will you meet them?
A: All dietary requirements should be declared on your booking form. If you forgot to do so or are unsure if it was included, please contact NWCU.
Crowne Plaza hotel caters for all dietary requirements and these are clearly advertised in the restaurants and refreshment areas.

Q: Can I bring my dog with me?
A: Crowne Plaza hotel is a pet free resort so dogs are not allowed on site or within bedrooms unless they are service animals.

Q: What fitness and wellbeing activities can I do while there?
A: The Crowne Plaza Stratford-Upon-Avon features a comprehensive on-site health club called The Club. Guests can enjoy a fully equipped, air-conditioned gym, a heated indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and a steam room. Activities and amenities include Gym Facilities: Cardiovascular machines (treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, stationary bicycles, and rowing machines) and a dedicated free-weights area. Aquatics: Lane swimming in the heated indoor pool, or relaxing in the spa pool and hot tub. Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM. For more details on joining, guest passes, or class schedules, you can visit ⁠The Club Stratford-Upon-Avon

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The conference is sponsored by our wonderful partners at: