Wildlife Crime

Summary

A Freedom of Information request was made to the Isle of Man Constabulary regarding the number, training, and reporting statistics of Wildlife Crime Officers. The authority disclosed that two officers hold the role without special remuneration and reported only one specific wildlife offence in the last five years.

Key Facts

• The Isle of Man Constabulary has two officers undertaking the Wildlife Crime Officer role.
• Wildlife Crime Officers do not receive special remuneration for their additional duties.
• Officers attended a 5-day training course in Stoke-on-Trent covering UK and Manx legislation.
• There is no specific email address for the role; enquiries must be made via local police stations or headquarters.
• Only one offence relating to a specific wildlife crime listed in the request was recorded in the last 5 years.

Data Disclosed

• 2 officers
• 5 day course
• March 2022
• 1 offence
• last 5 years
• 2024-05-20
• 2024-06-04

Original Request

Hello, 1. How many Wildlife Crime Officers does the Isle of Man Constabulary have as of today? 2. What are their terms of reference for this role? 3. What specialist training have the Wildlife Crime Officers undergone for this role? 4. Do the Wildlife Crime Officers receive any special renumeration for their additional duty? 5. How can the Wildlife Crime Officers be contacted? Is there a specific email address for this role? 6. For the last 5 years, how many reports have been made to the Isle of Man Constabulary of wildlife or environmental crime? In relation to question 5 above, while not an exhaustive list, by this term 'wildlife or environmental crime', I refer to reports made in reference to the Game Act 1882, Curraghs Acquisition Act 1963, Sea Fisheries Act 1971, Inland Fisheries Act 1976, Endangered Species Acts 1981 & 2010, Oil Pollution Act 1986, Wildlife Act 1990, Tree Preservation Act 1993, Water Act 1991, Water Pollution Act 1993, Heath Burning Act 2003, Fisheries Act 2012, Flood Risk Management Act 2013, Climate Change Act 2021. Thank you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Our ref: 3867149 4 June 2024

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 20 May 2024, which states:

"Hello,

1. How many Wildlife Crime Officers does the Isle of Man Constabulary have as of today?

2. What are their terms of reference for this role?

3. What specialist training have the Wildlife Crime Officers undergone for this role?

4. Do the Wildlife Crime Officers receive any special renumeration for their additional duty?

5. How can the Wildlife Crime Officers be contacted? Is there a specific email address for this role?

6. For the last 5 years, how many reports have been made to the Isle of Man Constabulary of wildlife or environmental crime?

In relation to question 5 above, while not an exhaustive list, by this term 'wildlife or environmental crime', I refer to reports made in reference to the Game Act 1882, Curraghs Acquisition Act 1963, Sea Fisheries Act 1971, Inland Fisheries Act 1976, Endangered Species Acts 1981 & 2010, Oil Pollution Act 1986, Wildlife Act 1990, Tree Preservation Act 1993, Water Act 1991, Water Pollution Act 1993, Heath Burning Act 2003, Fisheries Act 2012, Flood Risk Management Act 2013, Climate Change Act 2021.

Thank you."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. How many Wildlife Crime Officers does the Isle of Man Constabulary have as of today?

The Isle of Man Constabulary has two officers who undertake the Wildlife Crime Officer role.

1. What are their terms of reference for this role?

The Wildlife Crime Officer role covers the following functions

• Close liaison with Government and external agencies and partners to combat the illegal trade in wild flora and fauna into and out of the Island. • Working closely with partner agencies to combat various crimes in the Island, such as poaching. • Be the single point of contact for all enquiries relating to wildlife crime on a local level.
• Be the single point of contact for all enquiries originating outside of the Island relating to illegal import and export. • Be the single point of contact for all Government organisations with an interest in wildlife crime and wildlife disturbance. This includes damage to the natural habitat and marine disturbance. • Liaison for all non-Government organisations both on and off Island, eg The Manx Bird Atlas, MSPCA, etc.
• Liaison officer for all National Wildlife Crime Operations currently being run by The Nation Wildlife Crime Unit at New Scotland Yard.

1. What specialist training have the Wildlife Crime Officers undergone for this role?

Officers attended a 5 day course in Stoke On Trent learning some UK legislation and then learning Manx laws/legislation.

1. Do the Wildlife Crime Officers receive any special renumeration for their additional duty?

No

1. How can the Wildlife Crime Officers be contacted? Is there a specific email address for this role?

There is no specific e-mail. Any enquiries relating to wild life crime can be reported to any local police station or through Douglas Police Headquarters.

1. For the last 5 years, how many reports have been made to the Isle of Man Constabulary of wildlife or environmental crime?

There has been one offence relating to a specific wild life offence as listed within your FOI request in the last 5 years; this was in March 2022.

Please quote the reference number 3867149 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

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If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.