Big rise in Staffordshire gang crime on wildlife

Wildlife crime is "going through the roof" in Staffordshire with badgers, deer and birds targeted for sport or money, it was revealed today. Gangs using electronic trackers are sending terriers into badger setts.

Goldfinches have also been trapped on branches smeared with glue.

The Rural Policing Liaison Group, which gathers intelligence on criminals who kill and maim wildlife, said today gangs were taking orders from the Middle East to rear and export birds of prey.

Closer to home, cockfighting is still attracting bloodsport fans to secret arenas.

Faye Burton, the founding chairwoman of the group, said: "Wildlife crime is definitely getting worse

"It has tripled in the past 12 months in the UK.

"It's an easy way to make money. People can make £700-800 a night going and pulling a deer down."

Figures released by Staffordshire Police show there have been 34 reported wildlife crimes in the region in the first seven months of this year. That compares to 37 in 10 months last year.

But Mrs Burton said: "The police only get a few of the jobs - a lot goes through the RSPCA and I know that wildlife crime is absolutely going through the roof."

Pc Martin Turner, Staffordshire Police's wildlife crime co-ordinator, said there were officers around the county trained to deal with wildlife crime.