Funds save UK’s wildlife crime unit

THE future of the UK’s only dedicated wildlife crime unit has been secured for another year.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) based at a former police office in Livingston, West Lothian, is to receive £272,000 from Westminster to fund its work for another year.

However, concerns remain about the long-term future of the outfit, which has 12 staff working to fight wildlife crimes including global poaching and the persecution of rare birds in the UK.

Wildlife charity WWF-UK said the unit was desperately needed.

“We are seeing an international poaching crisis, and this country has a part to play in tackling that,” said Heather Sol, chief adviser on species at WWF-UK.