Petition · past parliament
Save the Police Unit that Protects Wildlife from Human Cruelty
Closed
14,539 signatures
What the petition asks
Crimes like badger baiting and the slaughter of wild birds of prey will go uninvestigated.
In 2014, the government announced only 2 years of support to the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), the unit will vanish if the government does not fund it beyond March 2016 (it's still undecided).
In 2014, the government announced only 2 years of support to the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), the unit will vanish if the government does not fund it beyond March 2016 (it's still undecided).
Wildlife crime is simply crime, and should be treated as such. It is also complicated, easily overlooked and difficult to prosecute, which is why it can’t be left to overstretched and poorly resourced wildlife crime officers within local constabularies.
There are 35,000 rare plants and animals protected by Cites legislation, which gives a clue as to why we might need a few national specialists to tackle these crimes – the NWCU is currently assisting with 24 investigations into endangered animals illegally traded via the internet in Britain.
There are 35,000 rare plants and animals protected by Cites legislation, which gives a clue as to why we might need a few national specialists to tackle these crimes – the NWCU is currently assisting with 24 investigations into endangered animals illegally traded via the internet in Britain.
Government response · 10 March 2016
Defra Minister Rory Stewart announced on Tuesday 1 March that the National Wildlife Crime Unit will receive funding for the next four years.
In recognition of the important contribution the National Wildlife Crime Unit makes to tackling wildlife crime, both at home and abroad, Defra and Home Office Ministers have agreed that their respective departments will each provide the Unit with funding of £136,000 a year for the next four financial years.
This will give the unit significant financial stability and enable their vital work to continue until at least 2020.
The announcement can be found at: www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-03-01/HCWS561/
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
This will give the unit significant financial stability and enable their vital work to continue until at least 2020.
The announcement can be found at: www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-03-01/HCWS561/
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
| 12 Jan 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 22 Feb 2016 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
| 10 Mar 2016 | Government responded |
| 12 Jul 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
14,539
Status
Closed
Opened
12 Jan 2016
Closed
12 Jul 2016
Response
10 Mar 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.