Wildlife: Crime
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the National Police Chief's Council report entitled Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025-2028, what offences are classified under bat crime.
Answered by Sarah Jones
Under the NPCC Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025–2028, bat crime includes:
Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
- Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection.
- Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by bats.
Regulation 43 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
- Deliberately capture, injure, or kill a bat.
- Deliberately disturb a bat.
- Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a bat (bats do not have to be in occupation at the time).
- Possess or control a bat.
- Transport a bat.
- Sell or exchange a bat.
Offer for sale or exchange any bat, alive or dead, or any part of a bat.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →