Police appeal to keep an eye out for signs of badger baiting

Police in the High Peak are urging walkers and residents to keep an eye out for suspicious activity as part of a nationwide campaign against badger crime.

The campaign, called Operation Meles, is an intelligence led national police operation which was launched in September by The Badger Trust, around gathering evidence of badger persecution and targeting offenders.

January through to April is also the breeding season for badgers, when pregnant female badgers, and subsequently their cubs, may be more vulnerable.

Badger digging is where a sett is dug out and then dogs are sent in to the hole to flush out any badgers. The animals are then sometimes killed or used in fights with dogs, where the group will bet money on the outcome.

Badger baiting has been illegal in Britain since 1835 and the Protection of Badgers Act was introduced in 1992 to further protect badgers and their habitats, by making it illegal to interfere with a badger sett in any way.

PCSO Lee Baker said: “We would ask the public that if they see any groups of people with dogs acting suspiciously then don’t approach them directly but contact the police, making a note of when and where they were seen, a description of any individuals and if they had dogs or items with them. The details of any vehicles they may be using will also be of help to police officers.”

To contact Derbyshire police call 101 except in an emergency when the number is always 999. To pass on information about crime you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.