Wildlife crime. Egg collection, siezed from a collector in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 2006. 7,700 eggs in total.

Investigating wild bird crime

Despite legal protection, offences against wild birds continue and every year the RSPB receives more than 500 reports of wild bird crime.

The RSPB works alongside other groups and organisations in order to investigate crimes and hopefully bring the offenders to justice. Here we highlight our role and the main law enforcement organisations.

In this section

Wildlife crime. Egg collection, siezed from a collector in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 2006. 7,700 eggs in total.

Our role

Despite legal protection, every year the RSPB receives over 500 reports of wild bird crime.
Exminster Marshes RSPB reserve, on the Exe Estuary, Devon, England.

Wildlife Crime Officers (WCOs)

The RSPB's Investigations Section was instrumental in the creation of the police WCO network.
Wildlife crime. Egg collection, siezed from a collector in Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 2006. 7,700 eggs in total.

Wild bird crime

The RSPB has produced an annual report since 1990, but now we are presenting the information online.

How to report crimes against wild birds

If you suspect an offence against birds, here are details about who to contact and what details to record.
Baltic sea on a stormy day with heavy rain falling on coastal headland, Gellort, Cape Arkona, Rugen island, Germany's most northerly point, Mecklenberg-Vorpommern, Germany

UK Border Agency

Customs officers work with organisations like the RSPB in cases involving specimens which have been illegally imported.
Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos adult male sitting in heather, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Wildlife crime reporting form

If you're aware of a bird crime, please contact the RSPB investigations team via this report form.

Birdcrime 2018

The RSPB's Birdcrime report summarises offences against wild bird legislation which are reported to the RSPB each year. It is the only centralised source of incident data for UK wild bird crime. 

Read report

Further reading

Dwarf gorse Ulex minor & Ling Calluna vulgaris, Farnham Heath RSPB reserve, Surrey, England