I raised the issue of funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit in Parliament last month so I welcome today’s announcement that funding has been secured for the next 4 years.

It has been an uncertain time for all involved with the unit, but thanks to a strong campaign by supporters the Government has recognised that the importance of the unit. It is central to the support of wildlife crime investigations and is fundamental to providing and analysing national wildlife crime intelligence across the UK. Without them, a huge number of wildlife crime cases would not be successfully investigated or prosecuted. Rare bird egg theft, illegal deer poaching, hare coursing and indiscriminate cruelty to wild animals are just some of the problems faced by wildlife crime police around the UK.

Here is the announcement.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-03-01/HCWS561/