Wildlife crime is on the rise, with thousands of incidents reported in the first half of 2009, the Liberal Democrats have revealed. Despite this, very few people are actually being prosecuted.
Information released to the Liberal Democrats in a Parliamentary answer shows:
The Liberal Democrats recently published Our Natural Heritage: Policies on the Natural Environment, which includes proposals to clamp down on wildlife crime with stronger penalties and stricter enforcement.
Commenting, Heather Kidd said ‘There must be a higher priority given to enforcing our wildlife laws here in Shropshire as offenders are currently being let off the hook. Labour tries to pretend that they are champions of the environment but their failure to direct resources properly could threaten the survival of rare species. People living here need proper enforcement and stronger penalties to clamp down on criminals that are getting away scot free.’