Criminal gangs targeting rare birds of prey

Rare birds are becoming the prey of criminal gangs in the Midlands, police have revealed.

It has emerged that thieves are targeting one specific quarry in south Staffordshire where beautiful, and protected, Peregrine Falcons return to nest, lay eggs and raise their young chicks every year.

And not only are these precious eggs being stolen and others damaged, but wildlife crime officers say there is also evidence of nests being deliberately destroyed at Saredon Quarry, Shareshill, near Wolverhampton .

But police have now issued a stark warning to thieves to “stay away” or face being caught red handed after a wave of deterrent equipment was installed at he protected site.

Measures include innovative Smartwater pipe bombs which will shower offenders with forensic marking fluid which directly link them to the scene of the crime.

A number of CCTV cameras have also been installed around the site as well as motion sensors after South Staffordshire Police, the quarry manager, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Smartwater joined forces to stamp out the problem.

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