Cumbria Police is supporting a new task force targeting the illegal persecution of the rare hen harriers.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) has assembled the Hen Harrier Task Force to focus on the protection of one of the rarest birds of prey in the UK.

Satellite tags are fitted to the birds for research, but the tags have revealed a concerning amount of illegal killing.

Despite significant resources dedicated to its conservation, there have been no successful prosecutions in recent years, highlighting the need for the task force.

Detective Inspector Mark Harrison of the NWCU is leading the task force.

He said: “The persecution of birds of prey is not just a wildlife issue; it's serious crime blighting our countryside.

“With the launch of the Hen Harrier Task Force, we are determined to disrupt illegal activity and protect this vulnerable species.”

The task force plans to standardise reporting practices and improve police response to incidents, with resources deployed swiftly and investigative opportunities maximised.

Officers will work in conjunction with partners to engage local communities and heighten the profile of hen harrier persecution, a unified effort against wildlife crime.

DI Harrison emphasised that tackling this problem required a united front.

“We cannot tackle this problem alone,” he said. “Through proactive partnerships and community engagement, we can strengthen our response and hold perpetrators to account.”

The task force will utilise a data-led approach, relying on analysis from police data and hotspot mapping, with the NWCU identifying areas to focus enforcement efforts.

DI Harrison has tasked his team to take a broader view on criminal activity, as criminals will frequently steal and destroy the satellite tags to cover their offences.

In the last few years alone, £100,000 worth of satellite tags have vanished under circumstances suspected to be criminal.

The apparent use of firearms adds a further level of seriousness to these cases.

The task force will use a multifaceted approach, such as improved incident response, the use of drones and specialised detection dogs, strengthening partnerships, and raising community awareness to battle wildlife crime.

The Hen Harrier Task Force is supported by seven police forces, including Cumbria Constabulary, DEFRA, the RSPB, National Gamekeepers’ Organisation, British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), The Wildlife Trusts, GWCT, national parks, Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Natural England and The Moorland Association.