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Introduction

In Britain, badger digging and other forms of badger persecution are illegal. However, many badger diggers (and others who persecute badgers) get away with their activities because they are not caught in the act. In those cases where the culprits have been observed by Badger Group personnel or members of the public, and the police have been called, there have been many successful prosecutions.

If you should come across people actually in the process of persecuting badgers while you are out walking in the countryside or checking a sett, what would you do? If you follow the guidelines below, you will greatly increase the chances of the offenders being caught and successfully prosecuted.

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Observe and make notes

If you do see people acting suspiciously in the vicinity of a badger sett, then try not to alert them to your presence. If possible, remain out of sight and make notes of the following:

• Descriptions of the people involved (height, build, hair colour and length, clothing, any distinctive features)
• Details of any tools they have with them (e.g. spades, nets, sacks)
• Details of any dogs they have with them (breed, colour, distinctive features)
• Details of what the people are actually doing (e.g. digging into a sett, blocking holes, lamping)
• Details of anything that you overhear them saying, especially any names used, and any talk relating to badgers

If you have a camera or camcorder, take photographs or video film if it is possible to do so without being observed. Watch out though if conditions are less than sunny and you have a camera with an automatic flash.

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Leave without alerting the suspects

If the suspects have already seen you, then try not to panic; don't let them know that you think there is anything wrong. Walk past at a safe distance; if you have binoculars you could pretend that you are bird watching. If you feel confident enough say "Good morning" or "Good afternoon" as you go past. Some have tried "Lost your dog have you?". However it is probably best not to engage in conversation. Remember that badger diggers and people who persecute badgers in other ways are unpleasant and potentially violent people. Badger diggers have been known to threaten those who discover them, using their spades or even knives or sawn-off shotguns. So don't approach them; move away as quickly as you can without arousing suspicion, all the time making mental notes of the mentioned items listed above so that as soon as you are out of sight you can write the details down in your notebook.

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Call the police

Once you have left the scene, make a note of any vehicles near the site if you did not do so on your approach (for each vehicle, note the make, model, registration number, colour and any distinctive features). Then call the police as soon as you can. If you know your local officer or the force Wildlife Crime Officer, call them; otherwise dial 999 and ask for immediate response. Say exactly what is going on, and give clear instructions on how to get to the site - the officer or officers attending may not know the location. Ideally, arrange to meet them at a convenient place nearby so that you can personally show the officer or officers the site or explain how to get there.

Getting the police to the scene to try to catch the suspects "in the act" is the most important thing, but if you have time try also to get hold of someone from your local Badger Group or the RSPCA or SSPCA.

If you go to the sett with the police, make detailed notes of the evidence of interference, and a full record of any evidence of badger activity. Show all this evidence to the police officer or officers and get them to record the evidence in their notebooks too. Otherwise, return to the sett as soon as possible after the event to record the details, preferably with a police officer and someone from your local Badger Group.

If your efforts do result in people being caught illegally interfering with the sett or persecuting the badgers, then the information which you recorded about the use of the sett by the badgers at the time when it was attacked and on any previous visits will be vital evidence if the culprits are prosecuted.

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Picture credits

The Eurasian badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Steve Jackson. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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