FEWER than one in 10 wildlife crimes now result in convictions, a report warned today.

Just 456 out of 4,735 reported wildlife crime incidents were successfully prosecuted last year, according to Wildlife & Countryside Link (Link): in 2019, more than half of 4,100 reported incidents led to convictions.

In its annual report, Link, a coalition of 86 organisations working to protect nature, said: “To put it simply, if you commit a wildlife crime, you are more likely to get away with it than you are with many other crimes.

“The disappointingly low conviction figures for wildlife crimes are perhaps not surprising.

“Even if viewed purely through a human lens, wildlife crimes are not victim-free offences. Those who harm wildlife steal something precious from everyone.”

The Home Office said: “This government is committed to reducing crime in rural areas and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face the full force of the law.”