Current timestamp: 27/01/2023 21:55:04
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

wiltshire-logo-new

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Man sentenced in England’s largest raptor persecution case

Main article content

Navigation

News

18:17 01/06/2022

In England’s largest raptor persecution case, Archie Watson, 21, of Dragon Lane, Manningford Bruce, Pewsey has pleaded guilty to possession of dead birds - three red kites, five buzzards and a herring or black-backed gull - contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

He denied killing the birds, which were found in a well following a warrant at the farm where he was employed as a gamekeeper.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court today, 1 June 2022, he also admitted to failing to comply with the condition of his firearms certificate, in relation to the correct storage of shotguns and ammunition.

Watson received a community order with 180 hours unpaid work and told to pay £393 costs and £95 surcharge.

The court heard how in August 2020, the RSPB passed evidence to Wiltshire Police of suspected persecution of wild birds at a farm in the Avebury area. 

This led to an investigation by the police Rural Crime Team into a gamekeeper employed there and he was arrested in September 2020. 

Two warrants were carried out in partnership with a number of other agencies including RSPB, Natural England, Hampshire Police and the National Wildlife crime unit

PC Marc Jackson said: “The court result today is positive and encouraging in the fight against bird crime in the UK. It clearly demonstrates that Wiltshire Police will take robust action against any individual who seeks to break the law by persecuting wild birds.

“We would like to thank the partner agencies who have assisted us during this investigation to reach this positive outcome the RSPB, Natural England, Hampshire Police and the National Wildlife crime unit, as well as other individuals and organisations such as the National History Museum.”

“It is certainly unusual for so many birds of prey to be found dead in such a small area and Wiltshire Police will continue to work with partners to help raise awareness and bring before the courts those who are suspected of committing such crimes within Wiltshire and Swindon.”

Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations, said: “The shocking discovery of this tomb of raptors is a reminder of the horrors of raptor persecution.

“Whilst it is not known who was involved or where these birds were killed, we believe it is highly likely they were illegally killed.”

“Raptor persecution is at an all-time high and overwhelmingly associated with land managed for gamebird shooting.”

“The public plays an important role in helping us identify raptor persecution, so if you have information please contact us along with the police online or by calling 101 to help bring this appalling practice to an end.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Wiltshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy notice

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.