Wildlife poaching: knowing the signs, reporting the crime
Help your local network recognise illegal poaching activity and spread the word with our downloadable graphics
Have you ever seen a post on your village Facebook page about suspicious poaching activity and wished there was an easy way to remind people that poaching – whether hare, deer, or fish – is a crime that should be reported to the police?
The CLA has now created a series of graphics, designed to be easily shared on social media, detailing the signs of illegal poaching activity. The graphics show when it’s appropriate to call 999 and when 101 or online reporting should be used.
Wildlife poaching – the tip of the iceberg for some rural criminals
As so many of our members know, poaching is not as it might be commonly portrayed. It is an organised criminal activity that harms our native wildlife, damages agricultural land and can leave rural residents fearful.
Perpetrators of poaching offences are also highly likely to be involved in other illegal activity. This can be gambling, criminal damage or road traffic offences directly linked to this activity. Poacher’s links to wider criminality is a well-known phenomenon – in 2018 for example, Thomas Jaffray, a prolific hare poacher, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his part in a £100m drug supply ring which dealt cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis.
In 2024 a report commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network, with research undertaken by Dr Kate Tudor from Durham University, demonstrated that Jaffray’s activity was not a one-off occurrence. The report identified 22 organised criminal gangs committing rural offences.
Inform others about illegal poaching
To caution your friends and neighbours of this criminal activity, rural land managers can download the graphics pack from our Rural Crime Hub below and use the suggested text to feature online.
Suggested accompanying message:
Poaching is a crime, which has a serious effect on those who live, work or enjoy the countryside. Poachers often have strong links to other serious criminality including drug dealing, theft and assault.
If you suspect that there is a live incident of poaching in your area do not hesitate to call 999 and report it. If you come across evidence that poaching has taken place, then call 101 or use online reporting tools to alert police. Your evidence could be a vital missing piece of the jigsaw.
