Badger crime

Badgers are protected under their own specific legislation. This is because they are often the target of persecution and cruelty.  

Badger-related offences can be deliberate, cruel or malicious. The following is against the law:

• killing, injuring, or taking a badger, or attempting to do so
• deliberately or recklessly damaging, destroying, interfering, or obstructing access to a badger sett
• having a dead badger, any part of one, or anything made from a badger, like a piece of clothing
• setting snares
• lamping
• badger baiting

Badgers can be affected as a result of forestry operations, agricultural activities or construction work. This can lead to crimes through negligence, including walking on or over a badger sett.

How to spot badger crime

Members of the public can play an important role in helping to protect badgers.

Signs of possible badger crime may include:

• fresh digging, collapsed entrances, or blocked holes at a sett
• unusual activity around a sett at night, such as people with dogs or bright lights
• the presence of nets, cages, or digging tools near a sett
• injured or dead badgers in suspicious circumstances
• dogs repeatedly being sent into holes or emerging injured. It is illegal to hunt or pursue wild animals with dogs, including badgers
• evidence of snares or traps in the surrounding area

What to do if you suspect a badger crime

You should:

• take photographs or videos if it is safe to do so, or make a sketch as soon as possible, including the surroundings and any landmarks to help officers relocate the crime scene
• use a coin or notebook for scale if you're photographing an object, but don't disturb anything
• note the location as accurately as possible by grid reference, GPS, or what3words
• note a description of any suspects and any vehicle numbers
• note the time and date, and what happened

You should not:

• put yourself at risk to gather information. Your safety is always the priority
• approach or intervene, especially if individuals or dogs are present as they may become violent or aggressive
• disturb the scene by walking around it unnecessarily or trampling possible evidence. If it involves a badger sett, this could also mean you're committing a crime through sett interference
• move anything
• touch any traps or snares

Report it

If a crime is happening right now, or the suspect is still at the scene, call 999. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.

If you spot something illegal or suspicious, you can report it online.

Other ways to report

You can also report badger crime anonymously to Crimestoppers.

If you're interested in learning more about badgers, the crimes committed against them, and how to protect them, visit the Badger Trust for more information.