Police Air Support join battle against illegal persecution of Peregrine Falcons in Northern Ireland

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has announced a significant development in its efforts to combat wildlife crime, with its Air Support Unit now actively supporting Operation Raptor – Peregrine Watch.

The initiative, led by PSNI in partnership with the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Bird of Prey Sub Group, aims to end the illegal targeting of peregrine falcons across Northern Ireland.

Under a special licence granted by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and with the assistance of the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG), police are now deploying state-of-the-art drones to monitor remote nesting and breeding sites.

The technology will be used to access difficult or dangerous terrain, allowing officers and conservationists to keep a close watch on vulnerable sites where peregrine falcons are known to reside.

These high-altitude predators are afforded strong legal protection under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment (NI) Act 2011. The law safeguards all birds of prey from persecution and disturbance, with significant penalties for breaches, including fines of up to £5,000 per offence and up to six months’ imprisonment.

Protecting a Schedule A1 Species

Peregrine falcons benefit from year-round nest site protection under Schedule A1, meaning their nests cannot be disturbed at any time, regardless of the breeding season. In exceptional cases, a derogation licence may be issued by NIEA to permit disturbance outside of breeding periods, but only if there is overriding public interest and suitable compensatory measures.

The increased drone surveillance will help authorities respond more quickly to instances of poisoning, shooting, trapping, and egg theft, which have historically posed a significant threat to the species in Northern Ireland.

Drones Deliver ‘Eyes in the Sky’

The decision to bring the PSNI’s Air Support Unit into the operation reflects a proactive response to a worrying rise in incidents involving dangerous substances used against birds of prey.

Superintendent Johnston McDowell, the PSNI’s lead for Rural and Wildlife Crime, stated:

“This initiative between the PAW Bird of Prey Sub Group and our Air Support Unit, working alongside local officers, is a direct result of birds being targeted with very serious and dangerous substances in a number of areas across Northern Ireland.

“Many of the poisons identified in previous cases are deadly not only to our precious wildlife but also to humans, and so the potential impact could go beyond the persecution and destruction of our beautiful native birds of prey.”

Police have recorded numerous incidents where lethal biocides and rodenticides were used to target peregrines and other protected birds. The PSNI works in collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive, which oversees biocides, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, responsible for rodenticides, to trace and regulate the substances involved in such crimes.

Public Encouraged to Report Wildlife Crime

As part of the initiative’s wider public engagement strategy, police are urging members of the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity around bird of prey habitats. Reports can be submitted by calling 101, using the PSNI’s online reporting tool at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Superintendent McDowell reiterated the PSNI’s commitment:

“The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to working with partner agencies to tackle wildlife crime through prevention and education, as well as enforcement, and will continue to work hard to combat wildlife crime.”

A Multi-Agency Effort

Pictured at the Northern Ireland Raptor Conference in February promoting the initiative are (L-R) Dr Marc Ruddock (Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group – NIRSG), Margaret Mee (White-Tailed Eagle Project), Dr Ruth Tingay (Raptor Persecution UK) Chief Inspector Tim Flanigan, (PSNI) and Emma Meredith (PSNI Wildlife and Animal Welfare Officer).

The PAW Bird of Prey Sub Group includes representatives from a range of expert bodies such as the Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Forestry Service, alongside police and government agencies.

Together, they aim to raise awareness, monitor bird of prey populations, and increase detection and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

This innovative use of drone technology marks a significant advancement in efforts to preserve Northern Ireland’s unique biodiversity and prevent the irreversible loss of its most majestic avian species.

More information on animal welfare and wildlife crime can be found here.