Warwickshire Police supports national campaign Operation Owl

Warwickshire Police will be supporting Operation Owl this weekend (Saturday, 21 September to Sunday, 22 September) to raise awareness of and prevent the persecution of birds of prey in our countryside.

Warwickshire Police will be supporting Operation Owl this weekend (Saturday, 21 September to Sunday, 22 September) to raise awareness of and prevent the persecution of birds of prey in our countryside.

Operation Owl is a North Yorkshire Police led initiative in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the RSPCA, and will be supported by a number of forces across the country.

While intentionally killing, injuring or taking wild birds remains a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, birds of prey are still being targeted by being shot, poisoned and trapped.

Inspector Allison Wiggin, Rural Crime Lead for Warwickshire Police said: “While Warwickshire does not receive many reports of birds of prey being injured or killed, that’s not to say it doesn’t happen and we take all reports of crimes against our wildlife extremely seriously.

“This weekend will see officers patrolling our rural communities, raising awareness around the persecution of birds of prey while encouraging people to keep an eye out for dead or injured birds and asking that they report any incidents to us.

“If you spot a dead or injured bird, poisoned bait or a pole trap, please note the location, take a photo and call us on 101 to report it."

For more information about Operation Owl and crimes relating to birds of prey, including what to look for and how to report anything suspicious to police, visit www.operationowl.com.

Follow the hashtag #OpOwlUK to keep up-to-date with the campaign's activity over the weekend.