Offences in relation to birds

November 18, 2025 | Incident and Crime Statistics , Wildlife and Animal Welfare

Request Number: FOI/16128

Category: Incident and Crime Statistics - Wildlife and Animal Welfare

Subject: Offences in relation to birds

Request and Answer:
Request
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information, for the periods between – 
1st January 2020 through to 31st December 2020 inclusive
1st January 2021 through to 31st December 2021 inclusive
1st January 2022 through to 31st December 2022 inclusive
1st January 2023 through to 31st December 2023 inclusive
1st January 2024 through to 31st December 2024 inclusive
1st January 2025 through to date

Question 1
For each period During the time frames, how many crimes involved the illegal killing /persecution of raptors / birds of prey – which includes those recorded under following police codes – 

  • 19001 - Summary offences in relation to birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • 19002 - Summary offences in relation to nests and eggs of birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • 19003 - Summary offences in relation to birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • 19004 - Summary offences in relation to nests and eggs of birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
  • 19006 - Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Question 2
The number of raptor persecution-related cases (as above) reported and then NOT referred to the Crown Prosecution Service?

Question 3
The number of raptor persecution-related cases (as above) reported and then referred to the Crown Prosecution Service?

Question 4
The number of raptor persecution-related cases (as above) that led to a successful prosecution?

Answer
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does not hold information in relation to your requests. Enquiries made in relation to your request failed to locate any records or documents relevant to your request based on the information you have provided. 

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 does not apply to Northern Ireland.

However, NI law and related reports for birds of prey for each year can be found on the
www.wildlifecrimeni.org website.

Accordingly, we have determined that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold the information to which you seek access.