Lincolnshire Police investigates suspected bird of prey poisonings

Lincolnshire Police's Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) is investigating the suspected poisoning of three birds of prey in the Belchford area of Horncastle.

On 4 October, the team conducted multi-agency searches in the area along with officers from the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), the RSPB and Natural England. Various items were recovered during the searches, which RCAT believes are linked to the offences under investigation.

The offences include the suspected poisining of three birds of prey: two Common Buzzards and one Red Kite.

Inspector Jason Baxter, from Lincolnshire Special Operations Unit, said: "Lincolnshire Police will not tolerate the persecution of our wildlife and any offences reported to us will be thoroughly and expeditiously investigated and offenders will be dealt with robustly."

Investigations are ongoing and a male suspect has been identified and will be interviewed in due course.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Aaron Flint, commented: "A number of birds of prey appear to have been poisoned in the Horncastle area. We would appeal for anyone with any information to contact us."