Trapping

Trapping and snaring were methods which could be legitimately used for the control of some types of wildlife such as corvids, rodents or foxes. This may be for conservation purposes, to protect agricultural or sporting interests or for human health and safety reasons. However, the use of traps and snares was subject to legal restrictions designed to prevent harm to non-target species or unnecessary cruelty.

A ban on snaring was introduced through the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 and prohibits the use of a snare or any other type of cable restraint for the purpose of killing or trapping a wild animal and prohibiting the use of a snare or other type of cable restraint in any way that is likely to injure a wild animal. The ban on snares came into force on 25 November 2024.

Offences here will also be recorded under one of the specific priority areas, or as ‘not aligned to a priority area’.

Five trapping and snaring offences were recorded in 2023-24, and six in 2024-25, a low level compared to recent years.
Figure 23: trapping and snaring offences recorded by Police Scotland, 2019-20 to 2024-25.

These offences in 2023-24 and 2024-25 targeted a range of species including crows, badgers, rabbits and unspecified birds, and included a variety of methods such as snares, spring traps and glue traps.

Further detail: see Tables 65 and 66 of the supporting documents for trapping and snaring offences by police division, type of trap and target species, and Tables 67 and 68 for quarterly breakdowns.