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This report Make wildlife matter –Spotlight on wildlife crime: Working with police and enforcers for change focuses on the issues surrounding wildlife crime in the UK . It is aimed at everyone determined to give UK animals in the wild protection from cruelty and suffering, and paints a powerful picture of legislative inadequacy and under-resourcing. Make wildlife matter draws on research commissioned by IFAW and led by criminologists from Nottingham Trent University, working with the University of Gloucestershire from May to November 2022.

Their research involved digital questionnaires with 16 police officers – many with wildlife crime officer remits – from 16 police forces and 12 Police and Crime Commissioner respondents. Nine NGO representatives, academics and other experts in fields relevant to wildlife crime and UK policing were also interviewed.

The criminologists also examined reports and literature relating to UK wildlife law developments and the legislation itself. The full research document Policing Wildlife: The Nature of Wildlife Crime in the UK and its Public Policy Response will be made available alongside this publication on IFAW’s website.