ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has stressed that the Scottish Government’s efforts to curb wildlife crime are ongoing – after figures showed a small increase in reported offences.

Police Scotland recorded 236 reports of wildlife crime in 2017/18 – up by five on the previous year. Prior to that, reports of wildlife crime had been falling, after totalling 284 in 2014/15.

The figures, revealed in the latest annual report on wildlife crime, show reports of hunting with dogs almost doubled over 12 months, going from 22 in 2016/17 to 41 in 2017/18.

Fish poaching and attacks on birds were the most common forms of wildlife crime, with 45 of each of these types of offence reported to police. Reported cases of cruelty to wild animals increased from 24 in 2016/17 to 32 in 2017/18, with reports of badger crime going from six to 14. While reports of wildlife crime increased, the number of cases that went to prosecutors fell from 94 to 67. There were 29 people taken to court for wildlife crime offences in 2017-18, with guilty verdicts in 25 of these cases.

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Cunningham said the increase in reported offences was disappointing but added: “This report highlights why it is important we put measures in place to protect Scotland’s natural heritage. We have already taken action to end to this type of crime, including commissioning a review of golden eagle disappearances, strengthening the resources available to law enforcement and establishing the specialist wildlife and environmental crime prosecution unit.

“It is important we continue to safe-guard our wildlife, which is why those who commit the most serious wildlife crimes will face increased penalties through the introduction of the Animals and Wildlife Bill next year.”

Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said plans to bring in jail sentences of up to five years for the most serious offences would be a “gamechanger” in tackling wildlife crime.

He said: “No-one wants to see wildlife crime of any form and the slight rise after some very good years of real progress is, of course, disappointing.

“We have expelled eight members in seven years for such offences and we will continue to work with Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to see these offences reduced once again. The new penalties about to be introduced by the Scottish Government, including jail sentences up to five years, will be a gamechanger.

Tim Baynes, of Scottish Land and Estates, said they too shared the “Scottish Government’s desire to see the eradication of all wildlife crime, and raptor persecution in particular, and we support the introduction of tougher penalties for those who engage in criminal behaviour”.