We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Corporate report

Wildlife crime in Scotland: annual report 2021

Published
14 April 2023
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Law and order, Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781805253945

The tenth wildlife crime annual report, with new data from the financial year 2020 to 2021.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Appendix 2A - Further information on COPFS Case Outcomes

Table A: Outcomes of all fish poaching cases
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No action 8 5 * 5 12
Alternative to prosecution 20 * 10 9 42
Prosecuted 7 * * 3 1
of which convicted * * * 1 1
of which pending trial - - - 1 -
No. of reports received 35 18 15 17 55
Table B: Outcomes of all other wildlife cases
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No action 19 25 16 17 3
Alternative to prosecution 15 * 8 5 1
Prosecuted 25 * 15 9 1
of which convicted * * 9 4 1
If which pending trial - - - 5 -
No. of reports received 59 49 39 31 5

Outcomes by Individual Case Category

Offences relating to badgers

For the period 2016-2021, a total of 10 cases relating to badgers were reported to COPFS.

Table D: Offences relating to bird
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No action 10 * * 0 5
Alternative to prosecution 5 * * 0 1
Prosecuted 9 * 6 1 4
of which convicted * * * 1 2
of which pending trial - - - - 2
No. of reports received 24 13 12 1 10
Table E: Offences relating to cruelty to wild animals
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No. of reports received 8 0 * 0 2
Table F: Offences relating to deer
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No. of reports received * * * 3 2
Table G: Offences relating to hunting with dogs
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No action * * * 9 7
Alternative to prosecution * * 0 0 10
Prosecuted * 9 * 4 8
of which convicted * * 0 1 2
of which pending trial - - - 3 4
No. of reports received 7 22 7 13 25
Table H: Other wildlife offences
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
No action * 5 * 5 3
Alternative to prosecution * * 5 4 1
Prosecuted 6 * * 2 1
of which convicted * 0 * 2 1
No. of reports received 14 10 11 11 5

Table I: Other conservation offences

For the period 2016-21, a total of 6 cases relating to other conservation offences were reported to COPFS.

Contact

Email: Robyn.McCormack@gov.scot

Back to top