Wildlife traffickers ‘freer to offend’ after police unit cuts
But, as well as investigating international wildlife crime, the Met unit also tackled wildlife crime across London itself and worked closely with local conservation and animal welfare organisations.
Matt Browne, director of policy and advocacy for coalition group Wildlife and Countryside Link, called for the decision to redeploy the officers to be reversed.
He said the unit was a “crucial frontline defence against wildlife crime”.
“At a time when people are asking authorities to protect nature, the capital will lose the specialist expertise that helps protect wildlife in the city,” he said.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said the changes to the wildlife crime unit were being made as part of the New Met for London plan, designed to raise standards and lower crime rates across the force area.
The spokeswoman said the detectives from the unit would now focus on “tackling local crime problems”.
“This is in line with our focus on data-driven policing to help keep communities safe,” she explained.
“The Met will continue to investigate any allegations of crime involving wildlife.
“A function still exists within the central wildlife crime team, who are working closely with the national unit to support a number of borough wildlife crime officers across London.”
