Prosecution of wildlife crimes

Request 

I am looking to acquire statistical data on the prosecution and conviction rates of wildlife crimes in the UK from the years 2012-2022. In particular, I would like to know the prosecution outcomes (i.e., fine amounts and sentencing lengths). 

If this particular aspect of data is not held with you, could I please be directed to the relevant person/organisation with such access. 

Response

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold a central record of the specific information sought. In order to identify whether prosecuted cases within scope of the request reached conviction, a manual review of 108 cases containing offences, including those under the Acts identified as wildlife offences in the CPS’ Legal Guidance, was required.

A manual review of the 108 cases established that convictions were reached for the relevant offences in 61 of the 108 cases. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are the official holders of sentencing data and information that may assist can be accessed via the following link: - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly

Related Pages

Freedom of Information

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Wildlife, Rural and Heritage Crime

Each CPS Area has a crown prosecutor dedicated to act as a Wildlife, Rural and Heritage Crime Coordinator to ensure the specialist knowledge needed to prosecute such offending is readily available. The coordinators work closely with specialist officers from their local police forces as well as officers from the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU).
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