We head to Parliament with our campaign to save the National Wildlife Crime Unit
News
50 MPs turn out in support of our campaign to protect the frontline Wildlife Crime Unit that could face the axe due to Government cuts
The National Wildlife Crime Unit is under threat from Government cuts and we recently asked you write to your MP to help stop this from happening. Today, your amazing support paid off when MPs came out in force to join the campaign and save one of the world’s leading police departments.
Defra and the Home Office might not renew the funding of the Unit due to Government cuts happening at the end of January. 50 MPs including Caroline Lucas MP, Jim Fitzpatrick MP and Diana Johnson MP joined our campaign to save the Unit alongside the celebrities and many others who have already shown their support.
Why is the Unit so important?
The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is dedicated to supporting wildlife crime investigations and is fundamental to providing and analysing national wildlife crime intelligence across the UK. Without them, a huge number of wildlife crime cases would not be successfully investigated or prosecuted.
Head of Public Affairs, Josh Kaile, said: “The Government has made much of their £13 million package to combat the illegal wildlife trade internationally. The National Wildlife Crime Unit only requires a fraction of this budget every year, with Defra and the Home Office currently paying £136k each. This continues to be a small amount to pay for such a vital unit, particularly in contrast to the millions being spent on global projects.”
“Police forces up and down the UK rely on the specialist knowledge of the NWCU in order to tackle wildlife criminals. It is time for the UK Government to step up and save the National Wildlife Crime Unit.”
How you can help.
Take action now to protect the National Wildlife Crime Unit by emailing your MP. Many of the MPs have joined the campaign because of correspondence they have received from constituents so your support really does make a difference.
Police forces up and down the UK rely on the specialist knowledge of the NWCU in order to tackle wildlife criminals. It is time for the UK Government to step up and save the National Wildlife Crime Unit.