Evidence gathering and establishing criminality

Charlie Everitt

UK National Wildlife Crime Unit

What if I see an offence being committed?

Do consider your own safety

• Take no risks • Survey the environment • Consider all actions from a personal

safety perspective

Do take photos and video

• If you have a camera with you take photos (or videos) of the scene.

• Do not delete any.

Do record the location

• Take careful note of exact locations of anything that might be useful evidence.

Do report to Police.

• Even if you are not sure - report the incident.

• The evidence of wildlife crime is not always obvious.

Contacting Police

• If emergency or culprit(s) still at scene – dial 999

• All other occasions – dial 101

Do write down vehicle registration numbers

• Don't trust to memory!

Do consider other witnesses.

• It is always best if there is more than one witness to a suspected crime under Scots law.

• If you are with other people, make sure that they see what you see.

Don't touch or move evidence

• If something has been interfered with, it may no longer be admissible in court.

• Try not to walk around the scene unnecessarily.

Don't touch dead birds or animals

• May have been poisoned or could be poisoned bait.

• Most substances used are extremely dangerous and you may put yourself at risk.

Never intervene if you see someone you suspect is involved in

committing a wildlife crime. • This could be dangerous.

• Take careful note of exactly what is happening and report it.

https://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/paw-scotland/what-you-can-do

Intelligence

Contact:

• Police – 101, e-mail, via website etc

• Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111

Charlie Everitt

UK National Wildlife Crime Unit

(e) Charles.everitt@nwcu.pnn.police.uk

(m) 07917 599 690