Not in MY Backyard (Lancashire & North Merseyside)

What is Enviro Crime?

Illegal activities from fly tipping of waste to the stealing of birds’ eggs can directly harm wildlife or the (your) environment.

• Pollution - In England and Wales there were over 29,000 confirmed incidents of pollution during 2002. 82 pollution incidents had a major environmental impact on the waters of England and Wales, 31 incidents had a major impact on land and 6 incidents had a major impact on air.. In 2002, some 1,387 events led to prosecutions and some 1,712 successful charges were brought.

• Fly tipping - Nearly half of local authorities think fly-tipping is a significant or major problem in their area. Fly tipping can range from putting domestic waste put out for collection a day too early to wagonloads of hazardous waste dumped at a beauty spot.

• Obstructing public rights of way - There has been a steady improvement in footpath access in England over the past 12 years, although in 2000/01 a quarter of footpaths were not easy for the public to use. In Wales 42% of paths were not easy to use in 2000/01. Obstructions or broken stiles and gates can block paths. Obstructions have many causes, but often result from criminal damage to pathways.

• Illegal tree felling - The Forestry Commission received 280 alleged illegal felling reports in 2002/03. Their Woodland Officers carried out investigations into 85 cases, some of which may have been reported in the previous year. Sixteen offenders were prosecuted, of these 12 were found guilty. An additional 20 cases were dealt with by issuing warning letters.

• Wildlife Crime - Illegal trade of endangered species continues to threaten wildlife. Crimes against birds include poisoning, shooting, egg collecting, nest robbery, nest destruction, illegal trade and trapping. In 2000 the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) received 771 reports of crimes involving wild birds.