Education programme for young people in Newark sees offences halve in two years
It was designed to rehabilitate young people involved in antisocial behaviour and wildlife crime
Last updated 3rd Oct 2024
A programme that aims to rehabilitate young people involved in antisocial behaviour and wildlife crime in Newark - has seen offences halve in two years.
In 2021 Police saw an increase in reports of wild birds being illegally shot at the Balderton Lake area as well as other green spaces
Since then officers have been going into schools to teach children in years five and six about wildlife offences.
When reports started to increase the Newark specialist rural and wildlife crime officers quickly identified that groups of young teenage boys were responsible and began increased uniformed and plain-clothes patrols to catch the offenders and reassure members of the public.
In addition, the officers developed an educational programme, known as Operation Swift which is delivered into primary schools.
As part of the scheme, pupils learn about wildlife offences and build bird boxes, that are erected nearby, with the focus of engaging with young people, deterring antisocial behaviour and rural crime, and interrupting the cycle of offending from an early age.
Since the programme was launched, officers have now visited every primary school in the Newark area and have delivered the scheme to more than 1,000 schoolchildren.
Young people who have been involved in wildlife offences are referred into a scheme run in partnership with Hill Holt Wood for further support, which has seen between 50 and 100 people take part.
Hill Holt Wood is a social enterprise based in a historic woodland that provides a college for those who struggle to access mainstream education and operates a referral programme for school-aged learners.
Young people spend the first half of the day in the classroom learning about the laws regarding wildlife crime. In the afternoon they complete a conservation task outside, which can include clearing invasive species or building dead hedges.
Early results indicate that Operation Swift has reduced slingshot and catapult offences in Newark by 50 per cent since the scheme launched two years ago. Arson offences have also been reduced by 29 per cent.
Since delivering the programme in primary schools, officers have also received an increase in calls from children aged nine and 10 to report incidents in their area.
Sergeant Rob Harrison, of Nottinghamshire Police, developed the programme and referral scheme alongside his team of officers.
He said:
“Every one of our wildlife crime offenders was a child once.
"Our badger baiters, our poachers, our hare coursers, and our animal abusers that are out there hunting and illegally trapping animals - they didn’t get there overnight, it was a gradual process of learning.
"We want to stop that today. So, this isn’t just about short-term enforcement, it’s about changing mindset and education.
“Wildlife crime is the fourth largest crime type in the world, only behind firearms, drugs, and human trafficking. This isn’t just about stopping offences today; it’s about stopping offences tomorrow and the next day.
“Education is key – find out what’s on your doorstep, explore it and enjoy it, but don’t abuse it, as we will not hesitate to take appropriate diversionary or enforcement action.”