We thought it was just us ….

….. that had issues with our local wildlife liaison officer.  However, in the course of researching an article rebutting some ludicrous claims on how well Hen Harriers are doing and their lack of persecution in Bowland, we came across an interesting snippet on the National Anti-Snaring Campaign web site:-

“A Word of Warning… Treat Police Wildlife Liaison Officers With Caution. If you discover a wildlife crime your should ONLY contact a Police Wildlife Liaison Officer as a last resort, and even then with extreme caution.”

Now why would they say a thing like that? Well, the NASC assert that PC Thomas declined to investigate when he was given evidence of offences involving Larson traps on a NW estate. Maybe he had good reason – we just don’t know. One thing I can say is we’re not in the least bit surprised though!

We strongly recommend you only to contact a WLOs as a last resort, if you do remember they might be very friendly with the gamekeeper or even shoot on the estate that you are reporting.

That’s the exact situation the NWLACS found themselves in when they reported offences involving Larsen Traps set on the Hoghton Tower estate Nr. Preston in Lancashire. The evidence was passed to Lancashire Constabulary Police Wildlife Crime Officer PC Duncan Thomas who immediately dismissed it. Later it was discovered that Thomas had participated in shoots on the Hoghton Tower estate and regularly writes for bloodsport magazines.

If possible report all suspected wildlife crimes to the RSPCA first.

So – not just raptor persecution that gets sidelined in Lancashire then.

Since he arrived in post four years ago, we know that PC Duncan Thomas has been the subject of complaints by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The League Against Cruel Sports, The Anti Snaring Organisation plus two complaints submitted by Licensed Raptor Workers in Lancashire (ongoing). I wonder if any alarm bells are ringing at headquarters yet? – are they getting the picture? We certainly are.

I wonder what else is out there on the internet for me to find? Maybe you, the readers of this site, have your own stories to tell …